Imogene M. Shoemate

Imogene Matilda Shoemate a faithful servant of God, student of the Bible, sympathetic and giving to others in need, and beloved mother and confidant to her children, passed from this life to her heavenly reward on Saturday, April 27, 2013, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 88 years, ten months. Imogene was born June 27, 1924, in Sardis, Oklahoma to Silas Perry and Vina Bell. Orphaned as a toddler, she and her sister and brother were taken and cared for by Elsie Anderson Norris Lavendar, Aunt Elsie, who acted as mother and caretaker. Imogene received her high school degree from Goodland Indian School in Hugo, Oklahoma. Imogene gained employment at the Indian Health Clinic in Talihina for a time, later moving to Oklahoma City where she worked as a telephone operator. On June 19, 1946 she was united in marriage to Earnest Clyde Shoemate of Tuskahoma, Oklahoma. Initially the couple resided in Oklahoma City welcoming children, son Earnest, and daughter Verlyn into the family. Shortly after Verlyn's birth, the couple moved to Drumright, Oklahoma, residing there for about eighteen years before moving to Seminole, Oklahoma where Earnest, her husband passed away in 1969. Imogene moved back to Drumright shortly afterward where she worked tirelessly in support of her children, seeing that they remained in school and was well cared for. During this time Imogene was employed at the McLellan Store. In 1971, Imogene was united in marriage to Dewey Horton in Drumright, Oklahoma. They later settled near Terlton, Oklahoma. During this time Imogene worked as a very successful manager of an E-Z Out Convenience store finally retiring in her late sixties. Imogene and Dewey later divorced, Imogene again taking the name Shoemate, but remained close friends helping one another from time to time throughout the rest of Imogene's life. Imogene pursued creative hobbies throughout her life, dioramas, working with beads, paints, and natural materials, and was an expert seamstress, often turning out objects of astonishing beauty and interest. A natural writer and expert in scriptures, she maintained many notebooks reflecting upon the scripture she read every night before bed and also left works detailing her thoughts and life history, to be treasured. She loved worshiping, gospel, and country music, but most of all she laughed and smiled and encouraged her many friends. Imogene is survived by her two children Earnest Shoemate and his wife Debra of Mannford, Oklahoma, Verlyn Griffin and her husband Leon Griffin of Fort Worth,Texas; sister Edith Virla Bell Poe of Buena Vista, Arkansas; four grandchildren Matthew Wayne Shoemate and wife Shanna of Houston, Texas, Robert Earnest Shoemate and wife Christina of Austin, Texas, D.L. Griffin and wife Molly and Aaron Griffin and wife Kelly of Fort Worth, Texas; six great grandchildren Ryan Shoemate, Madalyn Shoemate and Ashlyn Shoemate, Elizabeth Griffin, Cooper Griffin and Allie Griffin; close friend Dewey Horton of Terlton, Oklahoma and a host of other relatives and friends. Imogene was preceded in death by her parents early in life, husband Earnest Clyde Shoemate in 1969, infant son Robert Wayne Shoemate in 1961, brother George W. Bell, and her aunt Elsie Norris Lavender. Church Services will be held 10:00 am Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at Oak Hill Church - Keystone Lake with Rev. Harrel Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the Drumright Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.