Herman "Cotton" Shumake

Rev. Herman "Cotton" Shumake of Farmington passed away in Madison County on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at the age of 79 years. He was born December 31, 1929, at Bonne Terre, son of the late Charles Henry and Sarah (Boyd) Shumake. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Lee (Richardson) Shumake, a son, Gary Gene Shumake, and two brothers, Robert Shumake and Ray Shumake. A lifelong area resident, Cotton was ordained as a Baptist Minister in 1954 and pastored a total of fifty-one years at Little Vine, Knob Lick and Brushy Baptist churches. In addition to these churches he ministered in other ways by giving away Christmas dinners to area residents, making and delivering lunches for county inmates, and performing numerous marriages. He was also active in the Ministerial Alliance and St. Vincent DePaul Society. Mr. Shumake was a longtime member of community organizations which included Pendleton Lodge No. 551 AF & AM, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, DeSoto Knight Templars, Royal Arch Masons, and the Cryptic Masons. Most noted for being an entrepreneur in the Farmington area, Cotton owned and operated Ozark Village Cafe, Motel, Trailer Court, Shuttle Service, Cab Service, and the Greyhound Bus Terminal. He also owned and managed three service stations and garages in the Farmington area. Although Cotton officially retired in 2005, he continued his mission of giving to the community whenever the need arose. He is survived by two daughters, Dorothy Cartee of Farmington and Janet (Mrs. George) Wilson of Fredericktown; a son, Eddie Lloyd Shumake of Farmington; a brother, Henry Lee Shumake and his wife, Maxine of Farmington; seven grandchildren, Tracy Young, Peggy (Mrs. Jason) Grindstaff, Carrie (Mrs. Lonnie) LaChance, Lisa (Mrs. Andy) Barron, Tonya (Mrs. Shannon) Rodgers, Stephanie (Mrs. Lynn) Kindle and Joshua Shumake; thirteen great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and acquaintances. Friends may call at Cozean Memorial Chapel from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, and again on Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Cozean Memorial Chapel. Visitation will resume on Friday beginning at 7 a.m. until service time at the Cozean Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Ministerial Alliance or to Brushy Baptist Church. View the tribute video and share your memories and online condolences at cozean.biz.