Marietta Shoemaker

Marietta (West) Shoemaker, of Greenfield in Dade County, departed this life on Monday, February 10, 2025 at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Lockwood, Missouri to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior. With so many family members and friends gone before, we know there was a glorious reunion.

Marietta was the daughter of John Marvin and Dollie Mae (Kirby) West and was born October 4, 1923 in her family home near Dadeville, Missouri. She remained a resident of Dade County for her entire 101 years.

For her first 22 years, she lived at home with her father and younger brothers who she cared for after her mother’s passing on March 4, 1933.  She made many sacrifices for her beloved family through hard work, dedication and perseverance. 

On April 7, 1945, she was united in marriage to Paul Edmond Shoemaker in Greenfield, Missouri.  To their union two children were born, son, John Wesley Shoemaker on March 2, 1946 and daughter, Rebecca Mae Shoemaker on June 8, 1952. 

She was saved during her childhood. Both Marietta and Paul were members of Main Street Baptist Church for many years and raised their kids in church. In her senior years, she became a member of Emmanual Baptist Church and has known the love of her church family.

Marietta was a wonderful homemaker and loved caring for her family.  After Paul suffered a significant heart attack in 1961, she unselfishly arose to her family’s needs and began working at the Missouri Chest Hospital on June 26, 1962 in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. She remained employed there until her retirement in 1985.

She was excited and thankful in welcoming two grandchildren, Melissa Beth Hailey born on April 10, 1971 and Brad Allen Hailey born on May 22, 1976. She adored them and gave lovingly of herself for their upbringing and care.

After retirement, Marietta was persuaded to babysit for some working mothers. Her love for children never wavered and the kids were blessed to know her kind and loving ways.

In the mid-1990’s, she came to live in the home of her daughter and truly made it her home. She was loved, watched after and cared for by both John and Becky.   She remained in very good health throughout her long life but in her late 90’s, more help was needed for her safety and care.  She then became a resident at Good Shepherd Nursing Home. During her last weeks, she was also attended by Phoenix Hospice of Joplin, Missouri.

In living 101 years, you lose a lot of loved ones.  This list is long and it’s sad to reflect upon, but we have peace that they are reunited in Heaven. Father/mother: John Marvin and Dollie Mae West. Siblings/spouses:  Kyle Thomas and Goldie (Shoemaker), Kirby Winfield and John Rex and Janette (Hampton) West, Geraldine and Horace McMasters, Lavernice and Pete Witt.  Son:  John Wesley Shoemaker.  Niece/nephews: Dixie (McMasters) Helvey, Harold McMasters, Thomas Lee and Darren Rex West.  Many close-knit aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Surviving:  Daughter:  Becky Hailey. Grandchildren: Melissa and Scott Stav and Brad and Amy (Voris) Hailey. Great-grandchildren: Justin and Jordan Stav, Tyler Bean, Morgan, Aubrey Hailey.  Great great-grandchildren:  Amelia and Cyrus Wright, Marshall Stav.  Sister-in-law:  Jean (Sell) West. Nieces/nephews:  Irene (Witt) Neill, David and Elmer Witt, Richard and Mike McMasters, Beth West, Vicki (West) Hansen, Dana West. And a host of other relatives and friends.

The family welcomed everyone for visitation on Sunday, February 16, 2025 from 1 p.m until services bega.n at 2 p.m. at the Greenfield Funeral Chapel, 61 N. Allison, Greenfield, Missouri 65661.  

Due to inclement weather, the family wanted to stress keeping warm and safe was a priority to them and encouraged people to say goodbye at the Chapel and forego burial at the Greenfield Cemetery that followed the service.