Josephine Joanna Shoemaker

Josephine Forehand Shoemaker, 89, completed her life's journey on earth and was united in heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 6, 2008. Mrs. Shoemaker was born on January 16, 1919 in Biloxi, MS. She was a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As a teen, she worked in the coast's seafood industry where she met and married the love of her life, the late Rev. Hiram F. Shoemaker. Other than these last few years, Mrs. Shoemaker was a homemaker and a pastor's wife raising her children, helping to raise her grandchildren and working with her husband in the gospel ministry at the Gospel Fellowship Temple Church in Biloxi, which they founded. She and her husband hosted a radio program, the Gospel Fellowship Hour, on WOSM. As matriarch of her family she leaves behind a legacy of a full, Christian life. Her beloved husband, the late Rev. Hiram F. Shoemaker, to whom she was married 65 years, preceded her in death. Also preceding her death were son, Phillip Shoemaker and daughters June Jarrett and Myrna Shoemaker, all of Biloxi, MS. She leaves behind her son, Wendell L. Shoemaker, Sr., of North Biloxi and daughter, Gail Marr of Hawkinsville, GA; 9 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Both will take place at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi, MS. She will be buried at the Free Church of God Cemetery in Gulfport, MS. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com