Cecileia Ruth Farmer Shultz

1947 - 2023

Cecileia Ruth Farmer Shultz, 76, of Athens passed from this world into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born on Aug. 7, 1947, to the Rev. Cecil and Hannah Ruth Farmer. She was raised in the Big Springs community of Meigs County, where she graduated from Meigs County High School. Cecileia was preceded in death by her parents; brother in-law, Carl Hughes; sister-in-law, Sarah Farmer; and daughter-in-law, Melanie Shultz. She is survived by her husband, Wade Shultz of Athens; siblings, sister, Barbara Ann Farmer Hughes of Raleigh, N.C., and brother, Daniel Farmer of Irmo, N.C.; sons, Patrick Shultz of Conover N.C., Josh (Cathy) Shultz of Chattanooga, and Russell Shultz of Athens; and grandchildren, Kelly and Garrison Shultz, Alyssa and Kaylee Goulds and Daniel, James and Emma Shultz. After graduation from high school, Cecileia entered college at Carson Newman College, where she majored in Home Economics Education. While in college, she was involved with her local church in Jefferson City, went on mission trips to Canada, and sang with the college choir. Upon graduation in 1969, she obtained a job teaching Home Economics near her home community at Birchwood Elementary. During this time, she and her future husband rekindled a relationship and were married in 1971, beginning her 52-plus years as a farmer's wife. After the birth of her first son, Patrick, she started working with the McMinn County Agricultural Extension Service. She enjoyed working at "Spiffy," educating on a county-wide scale, and made several lifelong friends. In her last career move after the boys were raised, Cecileia began working with the Madisonville Health Department. In this role, she began using her Home Economics degree again, in a different way. She began educating mothers in the Women Infants and Children program (WIC) on how to live and eat healthy. During their 52 years together, she and her husband Wade farmed everything from beef cattle and hay to row crops to apple trees. In the early 1980s, they started researching and planting apple trees, which led to the creation of Shultz Farm Foods. Until most recently, this business operated every growing season for nearly 35 years, selling apples, dried apples, apple stack cakes, apple butter and the famous fried pies. Cecileia enjoyed preparing the various items to sell, and especially enjoyed visiting with the many, many folks that visited the farm. It was in this business that Cecileia again employed her Home Economics degree and educated thousands of school-aged children in the area on farm living. Cecileia loved growing things, especially flowers. Moving the potted flowers from outside to inside each year was a much planned and marked family event. She loved arranging flowers, and took pride in her arrangements for others. She was a member and past president of the Etowah Friendly Garden Club. Many fond memories were made spending time with the club members, both at her farm, and the many other homes of the club members. Cecileia was a gifted vocalist and sang in numerous choirs throughout the years. She also sang solos at church events, weddings and funerals. Her favorite song to sing was "His Eye is on the Sparrow." Cecileia was always involved with her local church, and as a child and teenager, at every church her father pastored. After marriage, she and Wade were members of Double Springs Baptist Church, where she was involved with teaching children and singing in the choir. Later, they moved their membership to Goodsprings Baptist Church, where she again was a choir member, but also served in children's, youth and music ministries there. In their retirement years, she and Wade have been members of First Baptist Church of Etowah, where she again was involved in teaching children and singing in the choir. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, in the chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. Jack Bryan and Pastor Allan Lovelace officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday prior to the service. Interment will follow the service in Double Springs Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Miracle Lake Christian Training Center, P.O. Box 327, Etowah, TN 37331; First Baptist Church of Etowah, P.O. Box 317, Etowah, TN 37331, Missions Fund; or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 4, Athens, TN 37371-0004. Pallbearers will be Cecileia's nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Terra Bella Athens, the staff of Erlanger MICU, Internal Medicine Etowah and Hearth Hospice care. Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements. If you are unable to attend, sign the guest registry at www.bordwinefuneralhome.com