Loie Williams Shumate

As the sunshine began to shine through the rain on the morning of June 11, 2022, Loie Williams Shumate "Meme" of Sondheimer, Louisiana, beloved mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away at her home at the age of 91.

Born on December 18, 1930, as an early Christmas present, to Lilbon Wade and Leola Williams of Ringgold, Louisiana, Loie went on to marry her beloved husband, W.P. "Bill" Shumate, in January of 1949. They settled together, becoming lifelong residents of Sondheimer. Here, they reared two boys, Bill, Jr. and Mark, and two daughters, Bobbie and Sharon,

Meme was always busy. As an avid cook and expert in anything fabric, Meme spent decades as the cornerstone and matriarch of the family. From daily lunches in the field to countless occasions at her home, Meme centered her life around her family and her faith. After the passing of her husband, Bill, she opened a craft store in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She drove to the store daily and greeted customers there for more than a decade before finally closing the doors and taking her show on the road. She began traveling across the country with various family members exhibiting at craft fairs, art shows, and gift markets. People across the United States came to love her for her kind words, her stylish glasses, and her trademark, perfectly coifed, white hair. Her show travels encompassed another decade plus.

Loie is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill; her precious daughter, Sharon; her parents, Lilbon and Leola Williams; brothers, Lynn Williams, Waymon Williams, and Exton Williams; and sisters, Nina Wilson and Jenny Williams.

Loie is survived by her sons, W.P. "Bill" Shumate, Jr. and Mark W. Shumate; daughter, Bobbie Wiltcher; brother, Wayne Williams; two sisters, Lynda Bayles and Pat Fairchild; and special friend and caretaker, Lucinda Fletcher. Her legacy grows through her seven grandchildren, Brandon Wiltcher, Will Shumate, Wade Shumate, Walt Shumate, Jeffery Shumate, Joseph Shumate, and Molly Shumate, her great grandchild, Cailen Wiltcher, and numerous nieces and nephews, who all were blessed enough to know her. She is missed by all who remain here, but we rejoice at the reunion she is now having with those she has not seen for so long.

Services for Loie Williams Shumate will be held Monday, June 13, 2022, at Crothers-Glenwood Funeral Home in Tallulah, Louisiana, beginning with visitation at 1:00 PM followed by the funeral service at 2:00 PM with Bro. Butch Goodman officiating. A private interment will follow the funeral service.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Brandon Wiltcher, Will Shumate, Wade Shumate, Walt Shumate, Jeffery Shumate, and Joseph Shumate.

In lieu of flowers or donations, the family would ask simply that you be kind to one another. Kindness is free. Kindness costs the giver nothing and may very well be priceless to the one receiving it. So, think of Meme and be kind!

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