Annette Shumaker (Mom or Mimi to some of us), 85, of Sandston, VA, went to be with the Lord on February 10, 2025, a little over a month after being diagnosed with lung cancer. On Tuesday, February 4th, with the full support of her two daughters and son, Mom made the brave decision to utilize Bon Secours Compassus hospice services. Hospice arrived on Wednesday at 3 p.m., and we turned her favorite sitting spot—the den—into her temporary resting place. As we focused on her comfort, family and friends gathered over the next few days to express their love and support.

On Sunday, February 9th, family and friends gathered around to share words of gratitude, appreciation, and love for all that Mom had contributed to their lives. Mom verbally expressed her love to all who came by and, in her own special way, thanked Dolly for the years of caretaking she provided, even under her own debilitating disease, by telling her, “I love you more!” She also looked over to Bubba and said, “Bubba, thank you for everything….” It was a heartbreaking moment to hear our mom, in her last few hours, show appreciation to us as she knew her journey on this earth was ending and a new journey was about to begin.

Mom passed just shy of noon on Monday, February 10th, with her daughter Dolly and her son Bubba by her side.

My mom chose to donate her body to science through MedCure, who were very compassionate about our loss and guided us through the process of getting her donation to them. Within a couple of hours, a funeral home arrived to accept the donation. They treated Mom’s body with dignity and held the highest respect for our loss. THANK YOU, MEDCURE!

Our mom was a God-fearing woman who was adamant and persistent about watching her favorite church services on TV every Sunday. These included In Touch Ministries by the late Charles Stanley and First Baptist Church of Richmond.

Mom was never the loudest in the room, never the one who had to have the last word—or even the first. She was a great listener—present, thoughtful, loving, and extremely forgiving. She was known to be a peacemaker! She was and still is a beautiful Christian lady whom we were blessed to have in our lives. We will forever miss her kindness and gentleness. She was one of a kind!

We had many great journeys with Mom through the years: trips to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, visits to Colorado to see her son, and lots of meals out! She took much pride and joy in gathering with family and friends. She loved warm weather and working in the garden, and in the evenings, she enjoyed her favorite game show, Wheel of Fortune.

We know that she’s in Heaven with our faithful God, where there is no pain, only incomprehensible joy—reunited with her beloved loved ones for all eternity. Thank you to all who were part of our mom’s life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin; her son, Brian; her parents, Henry Francis and Reba Jernigan; and her sister, Carolyn “Khaki” Purvis. She leaves behind two daughters, Dolly Carter-Owen and Vickie Shumaker; a son, Benjamin “Bubba” Shumaker; one grandchild, Kandyce Marie Carter; three great-granddaughters, Jayden, Hope, and Mae Mae; and a brother, Ray Jernigan.

A Celebration of Life will take place on her birthday, Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at her home: 105 Clayman Road, Sandston, Virginia 23150.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society by calling 800-227-2345 or visiting this link.