Lizzie Mae Shumate

-Revelation 21:4

Lizzie Mae Shumate was born to the late Richard and Addie Hankins on March 1, 1932, in Phoenix, Arizona. She received her primary education in Casa Grande. Lizzie, along with her cousin Tommy, were the first two blacks to attend Casa Grande High School, an achievement made possible only after her mother, Addie Hankins, successfully petitioned for her attendance. Lizzie later attended Arizona State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in education.

Lizzie’s first teaching job was in McNary, Arizona. She traveled there from Phoenix during the week to teach at the school, maintaining her residence in Phoenix until she met and married Homer E. Shumate on June 14, 1958. This marriage would later spawn a loving union of 51 beautiful years, with 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. Lizzie was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She touched the lives of numerous people during the 30-plus years she taught school in McNary and retired as the school administrator. She was also well-respected and an active member of her community over the years, running summer programs for children, and working in voter registration and the polls each year. Anyone who knew Mrs. Lizzie Mae knows that one of her favorite hobbies included making wedding cakes, sewing, and she was often talked into taking painting and pottery classes by her sister Geneva.

Lizzie accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at an early age. While living in McNary, she was a very active member of McNary Church of God In Christ under Pastor Ollis Ward. While attending college, she attended and became a member of Emanuel Church of God In Christ. She was a dedicated and faithful servant, holding many positions in the church and the state jurisdiction over the years. For several years, she was the District Missionary of the Northern District under the leadership of Superintendent Raymond Flemons. She was also the District Missionary of the Eloy District (now New Antioch District) under the leadership of Superintendent Harvey T. Young. Lizzie continued her missionary work, assisting both State Supervisor Isabel Gipson and State Supervisor Randall. Lizzie’s work was never done as she was a Member of the Executive Board, a Member of the Examining Board, and Treasurer of the District Women’s Finance Committee. Lizzie loved the Lord, and her mild temperament and unwavering love of the Lord touched all who came in contact with her.

Lizzie was preceded in death by both of her parents, Richard and Addie Hankins, her husband of 51 years, Homer Shumate, six sisters: Minnie Weaver, Clara Armstrong, Leola Phifer, Irene Haywood, Isabel Gipson, and Geneva Farthing, and four brothers: Virgil Hankins, Warren Hankins, Richard Lee Hankins, and John Hankins. Leaving to cherish her memories are two sons, Victor Shumate (wife Donna) and Edward Shumate of Phoenix; three daughters, Sandra Henderson of Casa Grande, Joyce Wolfe of Glendale, and Sheila Shumate (husband Shawn) of Phoenix; twelve grandchildren: Deonn (wife Jaclyn) of Centreville, VA, Dominic of Casa Grande, DeAndre of Las Vegas, NV, Yvonne and Vanessa of Glendale, DeQuan (wife Andrea), Alexandria, Victoria, Kiara, Zhante’, Zir’Riah, and Zi’Aire, all of Phoenix; seven great grandchildren: Laila, London, Langston, Tameir, Kamila, Lawrence and Kai; one brother, Wilford Hankins (wife Geraldine) of Phoenix; one brother-in-law, Claude Gipson of Casa Grande; one sister-in-law, Wilma Hankins of Phoenix; two special daughters, Frances Colter and Reina Lacarse. She also leaves to cherish a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A special thanks to Lizzie’s children, grandchildren and Nora Taylor for their unwavering and tenacious care of her during her later years. A very special thanks to her daughter Sheila for her relentless care of her mother day and night.

Lizzie loved God, her church, her family, and everyone she came in contact with. She always had kind words of encouragement and a unique acknowledgment of the very special relationships she had with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. We are certain that when she entered her final resting place, the Lord greeted her with “WELL DONE, THY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.”