Hazel M. Shumaker

A native of Seneca, South Carolina, Hazel was born in 1937, the daughter of the late Walter H. McPhail and Addie Prater McPhail. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Mary Cannon and husband Bruce Cannon Sr.; her brother, Walter H. McPhail II; brother, Floyd McPhail; and brother, Steve McPhail and his wife, Jane McPhail.

Hazel graduated from Winthrop College in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. After graduation, she married J. Allen Shumaker Sr. and they moved to Laurel, Maryland, where she taught Physical Education in middle school. In 1960, they moved to Columbia, where she taught science at Crayton Middle School for four years.

Following the birth of their sons, Allen Jr. and Dan, Hazel devoted several years to being a stay-at-home mother. She later joined the family business, J. Allen Shumaker Builder, Inc., now known as Shumaker Homes, Inc., where she served as corporate secretary beginning in 1972. Hazel’s responsibilities included financial planning, closing coordination, office management, and more. She was also active in Shumaker Realty, a subsidiary of Shumaker Homes, and held her real estate and appraiser’s license for many years.

In addition to her business work, Hazel was deeply committed to her community. She served on the Sandhills Academy school board—a special school for dyslexic children—where she also volunteered as a teacher. She was a board member for Sistercare, a nonprofit organization supporting battered women and their children, and was instrumental in organizing an annual fundraising golf tournament that greatly benefited the organization. Hazel and Allen were members of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church.

Hazel’s greatest joy was her family. She loved spending time with her husband on the golf course or at their mountain or lake house. You would always find them together. She will be remembered for her warmth, kindness and unwavering devotion to her family and community, leaving a legacy of love and generosity.

She is survived by her sister, Elaine McPhail; brother, Neil McPhail (Gwen); sister-in-law, Ann Lee McPhail, wife of Floyd McPhail; sons, Allen Shumaker, Jr. (Karen) and Dan Shumaker (Karen); and her grandchildren, Walker, Ali, and Harlen.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, with Pastor David Ford officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Dunbar Tribute Room.