Betty Geraldine Shumate

Betty Geraldine “Geri” Shumate, 92, of Bogart, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on June 9, 2024.

The daughter of the late Richard Duke and Jonibell Roberts Duke, Geri grew up in Scottdale, GA. After her marriage to Charles Hardeman, they lived in the Atlanta area and had two children, Gene and Rita. After Charles’s death, she married James Shumate. Geri worked for the North Side News in Buckhead and the University of Georgia, where she retired from the printing department. She also served as church secretary at Harvest Baptist Church and Bold Springs Baptist Church in Monroe, GA. Geri loved making cards for each member of her family. She also enjoyed being outdoors and especially birdwatching. 

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by two husbands, Charles Hardeman and James Shumate.

Geri is survived by her son, Gene Hardeman (Myra) of Covington and daughter, Rita Garland (Milton) of Bogart; grandchildren: Kim Smith (Mark) of Bogart, Christy Gouge (Robin Green) of Bogart, Paul Feagin of Good Hope, Wesley Hardeman of Good Hope, Joseph Gouge (Renee) of Greeneville, TN, Ashley McGee (Adam) of Covington, and Brooke Bagge (Ty) of Bogart; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 13 at Bold Springs Baptist Church in Monroe, GA, at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 until 1:00 p.m. before the service.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com