Rodney Vilas Shumake, Sr.

Rodney Vilas Shumake Sr., 78, passed away on Monday March the 25^th in Deland, Fl. The Visitation will be held on April 8, 2024, from 4-5 P.M. and the Celebration of Life Service will follow from 5-6 P.M. at Gillionville Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. Brother Roy Cook and Billy Lillis will be officiating.

He was born on March 14, 1946, in Savannah, Ga to parents Vilas D. Shumake and Florene Kelly Shumake Sumner. After graduation from Turner County High School in 1965, he married the love of his life Sandra Coleman and settled in Albany, Ga. He was employed by MacGregor Golf Company for 40 years. He was a member and deacon of Thomas Memorial Baptist Church. He then attended Amazing Grace Baptist Church where He worked with the Awana Youth. Late in life, he became a member of Gillionville Baptist Church.

In High School, he was known by the nickname of bear and as nieces and nephews came along, he was known as Big Rod. When he was involved in short wave radio, his handle was Papa Shu which stuck for the rest of his life. He loved his family dearly and loved working with kids. He was an avid Fisherman, Golfer, and Hunter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vilas D. Shumake and Florene Kelly Shumake Sumner, Stepfather Jake Sumner, brother Jimbo Sumner and Al Shumake, and his first-born Timothy Ronald Shumake.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 59 years Sandra Coleman Shumake, Son Rodney Vilas Shumake Jr. (Lisa) of Albany, Ga, Daughter Stacey Shumake (Chris) of Lee County, Ga, and two granddaughters Caylyn Shumake and Carlee Shumake of Albany Ga, Brother, Alex Sumner (Donna), Sycamore, Ga.

The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall at Gillionville Baptist Church following the service.