Name: Visitation for Dolores "De" Shumate
Start: 2021-05-03T14:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-05-03T15:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Dolores "De" Shumate

December 31, 1931 - April 25, 2021

TROUTDALE, Va.

Dolores "De" Kathleen Shumate, age 89, passed away on Sunday April 25, 2021, at the Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Va.

De was born in the small town of Richland, Pa., on December 31, 1931, to the late Helen and Benjamin Hoover. She lived in and grew to maturity in her maternal grandfather's home in Richland. De attended the Richland schools from 1937-1949, when she graduated from Richland High School. There, she was salutatorian of her graduating class, as were her brothers Carl and Robert, and her sister Marian in their respective classes. After graduation, De entered the Pa. Hospital School of Nursing, from which she graduated in 1953. She worked there on the Men's Surgical Unit until and opening occurred in the Recovery Room. She was the head nurse there until her resignation in 1960, to attend Syracuse University. While in school, Dolores worked at the Episcopal Memorial Hospital on the surgical unit. She went on to receive her master's degree in science education from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1981. She would continue to practice nursing as an RN until her retirement from Reading School of Nursing in 1994. Once moving to Virginia, Dolores resumed her nursing career with Dr. Gable's office in Konnarock, until her husband Ward's illness. She and Ward were married on June 1, 1968, by the same minister that baptized her in 1933. They spent a wonderful 32 years together until his passing in 2000.

De was very active her Konnarock Community. She was a dedicated member of Laurel Valley Lutheran, which later became St. Matthew Lutheran Church. There she was always very active and doing all that she could within the church.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Arthur Ward Shumate; brothers Carl Hoover and Robert Hoover; and a sister Marian Cairns.

She is survived by her daughter, Jean Hostetler and husband, Tom; grandchildren, Nicole Hallen and Danielle Reese; great-grandchildren, Calin Rapp, Christopher and Michael Authouse, and Alyssa Hallen; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 3, 2021, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Konnarock, with Pastor Harvey Atkinson officiating. Interment will follow in the Laurel Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m. on Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley's Funeral Chapel of Chilhowie is serving the Shumate family.

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Published by SWVA Today on Apr. 27, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Dolores Shumate

Sponsored by Bradley's Funeral Chapel - Chilhowie.

6 Entries

Irma Wilson

May 3, 2021

De was a wonderful person and friend she will be missed RIP my friend

Carl Hoover

May 2, 2021

My brother and I knew her as Aunt Dolores, though it seems everyone else knew her as De or Aunt De. I remember only two trips to Richland, Pa., growing up so childhood memories of her are few, but know Dad was fond of her - particularly late in life when he'd call her up for advice on whatever ailment he had at the time. Being a Hoover and flattered that someone recognized he/she knew something, she (like Dad) obliged with long answers. She married later than most and Dad told us of the times she'd bring a potential beau home while Marian and her family were visiting, only to have one of the Cairns kids inadvertently call the guy "uncle," which, as the story went, cooled that relationship. We were glad when she married Ward - so cool to have a bow hunter as uncle, which I think inspired my brother to pick up archery. I probably talked with her more after Dad (and Ward) died, checking in on her after storms, freezing weather and the like. She was so fun to chat with - the side of the family that didn't have a southern accent - and she kept up with everyone. You knew she was smiling when you were talking with her. She had a sense of humor plus a sense of caring, and in philosophy and politics reminded me of Dad. She lived a full life and mostly on her terms until her health started to go. I will miss her.

Susan Hoover Evans

April 28, 2021

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. She was a wonderful aunt who always remembered her nieces birthdays!

Sharon Hoover

April 28, 2021

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Dawn Hock

April 27, 2021

I am so sorry to hear about De. She always had a smile on her face, and if you didn't have one, she would make sure you didn't go away without one. Will be praying for the family in their time of loss.

Adiniah and Loren Shumate

April 27, 2021

Jeanie and Tom, we were so sad to learn of " De's " passing. I have so many wonderful memories of her when we did Bible school at Saint Matthew's. She was faithful to her church, her family, her friend's and her community. If any-one needed help you could count on "De" to be the first one there and the last one to leave. Rest in peace my friend.

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