James E. Shoemaker

Mr. James E. Shoemaker, age 75, of Ocean Springs, MS, died Tuesday, July 16, 2013, in Ocean Springs. James was born on July 20, 1937 in West Point, GA. He served at Lackland A.F.B., TX, Denham A.F.B. and South Ruislip, R.A.F.B., England, Keesler A.F.B., MS, Anderson A.F.B., Guam and Vietnam. He retired from the military and Civil Service at Keesler A.F.B., MS. He was a substitute teacher, school bus driver, scout leader, PTA President at Magnolia Park Elementary, a past member of the American Legion and member of the V.F.W., Jackson, MS. He was the photographer of the first yearbook for the Ocean Springs Junior High School and was involved with his children’s activities when they were growing up. James attended Berry College in Rome, Ga, for two years and received his degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. James was preceded in death by his parents, Elba B. and Fannie Kate Hardy Shoemaker, brother, Hardy Shoemaker, sister-in-law Diane D. Shoemaker and his in-laws Palmer and Doris Knight, Betty Jean Strong and Chuck Green. Survivors include his wife, of 54 years, Jeneva (Jenny) Shoemaker, three children, Sherri (Don) Foster of Derby, Kansas, Russell "Rusty" (Diane) Shoemaker, Gautier, MS, Patricia "Patty" (Drew) Rayner, Moss Point, MS, six grandchildren, Aaron (Brittney) Rayner, Daniel R. Rayner, Katherine "Kate" (Robert) Avery, Benjamin Foster, Jaclyn "Jaci" Shoemaker and Julie Shoemaker, three great-grand children, Ella Avery, Hannah Avery and Ryder Avery, sister-in-law, Janette Green, Honor, MI., brother-in-law, Andrew E. (Deci) Strong, Mansfield, GA., and nieces and nephews and family and friends. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 18, 2013, from 6 pm until 8 pm, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Friday, July 19, 2013, there will be a 10 am chapel service in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery at 11 am.