Ronald Eugene Shoemake, 89, of Rossville went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 24, 2021 at his home.

Mr. Shoemake was a resident of North Georgia for many years.  He grew up in East Chattanooga where he attended Amnicola Elementary, Hardy Jr. High and was a 1950 graduate of Central High School. Mr. Shoemake attended the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga to pursue a degree in industrial engineering.  He was employed at Combustion Engineering for 12 years.  His service at Combustion was interrupted by four years in the United States Air Force where he served during the Korean conflict and two assignments in the United Kingdom. He became a member of the Golden Gloves boxing association during high school and continued during his military service. In January of 1963, Mr. Shoemake was elected as the City Clerk and treasurer for the city of Rossville.  He served in that position until December of 1969. In addition, he was acting as fire chief of the Rossville Fire Department and later police chief of the Rossville Police Department. He was a member of the Rossville City Council and is the past president, secretary and member of the board of directors of the Rossville Exchange Club.  He was chosen outstanding “Exchangeite” of the Year in 1967-68 and was presented the Outstanding Citizen of the Year award by the Rossville Jaycees and the Rossville Lions Club.  He served on the board of directors of the Rossville Library and John Ross House Association.  He was a member of the Rossville Chamber of Commerce and the Walker County Development Authority. In January 1970 he joined the staff of Rossville Federal Savings and Loan Association until1976. Mr. Shoemake then established his own company, RESCO, as a consulting/construction firm. He then became employed by Red Food Stores as vice-president until his retirement. Mr. Shoemake was an active member of Burning Bush Baptist Church and served as deacon. His life was dedicated to serving others, his community and his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Jo Ann Shoemake, his son Kenneth Jay Shoemake; parents, Donald and Mary Letha Shoemake; sisters, Sarah Alvarez and Francis Long.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Randy Whiting of Ringgold; Grandchildren, Ross (Dallas) Whiting of LaGrange, KY and Rachael (Dustin) Endinger of Chatsworth, GA; great-grandchildren, Case and Memphys Endinger and Cash and Stanford Shields; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Burning Bush Baptist Church Building Fund at 2195 Burning Bush Rd, Ringgold, GA. 30736.

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude and sincere thanks to Hearth Hospice for their amazing support for both our father and ourselves. A special thank you to Jackie, Carrie, Holly, and Chris. We could not have completed our commitment to him without you all.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 12 noon at Burning Bush Baptist Church with Reverend Dennis McNulty and Reverend Billy Christol officiating. Mr. Shoemake will lie in state at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.

Interment will follow in the Burning Bush Baptist Church Cemetery.

Condolences may be shared at lane-southcrestchapel.com

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 3-7 pm at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, Rossville, GA.