Willie Cleveland Shoemake Sr.

Willie Cleveland Shoemake, Sr. was born on May 12, 1935, during The Great Depression to Mr. Artica Shoemaker and Mrs. Annie Lou Bachelor Shoemaker in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Both of his parents preceded him in death. Willie attended Herring Street High School. He worked on many jobs, from driving for Atlanta HeadStart in Kirkwood to driving for Jackson Cement Company. He finished his work history retiring from Dekalb County Parks and Recreations. Willie met and married Mattie Duncan from Avondale Estates on May 17, 1954. To their union was added 16 children, losing four before they were a week old. He and Mattie remained married until her death on December 12, 2010, just five months before their 57th wedding anniversary. Willie’s wife was a devout Christian and prayed for years for his salvation. In June of 1984 Willie received Jesus as his personal savior under the leadership of Pastor Hubert Hamilton. He joined New Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and some years later he was ordained a deacon and worked faithfully in that capacity until 2018. On Monday, January 29, 2024, Willie made his transition from this life to a new life in Christ Jesus. He leaves to cherish his loving and lasting memories: his children Frederick Heard Duncan who preceded him in death, his wife (Vivian), grandchildren Tennesia, Christopher and Frederick; (Larry)Vivian Wiggins, grandchildren, Barry Jr., McShane, Dominique(Joshua) and Willie Jr; Willie (Janice)Shoemake Jr., grandchildren Janika, Derante, Damesa (Seth), Willie III (Noel), Brandon(Brandi), Brandon, Keisha, and Tiffany; Sharon Johnson, grandchildren, Dionate’ (Freeda), Keisha, Lackecia; (Elroy) Lynn Williams, grandchildren, Marcus, Antonio and Quemesha; (Gregory) Vanessa Turner, grandchildren, Keishuna, Gregory II, and Sheneka; Evangelist Shoemake, grandchildren, Mario and Durante, ; Jimmy Shoemake; Brian (Eileen) Shoemake, grandchildren, Jodi and Brianndra; Adrianne Lovett, grandchildren Phillip and Roderick; Artica (Kim) Shoemake; Artica Jr., Jasper, Alexus, Keyvious and Markeshia; Ronrico (Nekeshia), Shoemake Sr., grandchildren, Ronrico Jr. , Jeremaine and Tiarra; two brothers that preceded him in death, Aaron Shoemaker and Larry Shoemaker, sisters, Racine Shoemaker, Katie Hardeman and Thelma Myrick; a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Willie’s favorite saying, “What you know good? He will be greatly missed and always in our hearts. The family especially thank Ronrico “Toenail” and Nekeshia Shoemake and family for opening their home to our dad for the past five years, serving as his caregiver. We are forever grateful. Special thanks to Carneesha Waters and her staff at Waters Cove Assisted Living.

Tributes

Willie Cleveland Shoemake Sr.

May 12, 1935 - January 29, 2024