Emily Shoemaker was taken home by her Lord and Savior on New Year's Eve. She was surrounded by loved ones in her home of the last fifty-seven years. Emily Jane Ledbetter was born in Chillicothe, Texas to Emma Jane (Powell) and William Luther "Bud" Ledbetter on June 23, 1930 in a home ordered from the Sears & Roebuck Catalogue. Emily was the fifth daughter born to Bud Ledbetter. His first wife, Christina, died in the Spanish Influenza of 1918; leaving him with three small girls named Lucretia, Edith, and Wilma. Mr. Ledbetter remarried and was blessed with two more daughters Jacqueline Brent and Emily Jane.

Emily attended Chillicothe schools graduating from high school in 1947.  Her dear sister Navy Nurse Lieutenant Wilma Ledbetter funded Emily's college education at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. While at McMurry College as it was known then she was a member of T.I.P., Wah Wahtaysee, and Future Teachers of America. She was chosen Senior Favorite her last year of college and graduated in May of 1951. Shortly after graduation Katherine Duff at the Abilene Reporter News arranged a blind date for a type setter, Robert Charles Shoemaker, at the paper and Emily Ledbetter. They were married August 29, 1952, and daughters Wilma Sandra and Marsha Diane were born to complete their family. Emily taught at Travis Elementary, Jack and Jill, and St John's Episcopal School. After moving to Clyde in 1962, Mrs. Shoemaker taught First Grade for twenty-five years. She worked for many fine administrators, taught with co-workers that became her close friends, and dearly loved each six year old she taught to love reading and explore the world around them through books. Emily's students were very special to her, and she would always take time to visit with them and support them in their endeavors. When you teach a child you change a life forever.

After retiring from teaching Emily returned to teaching at the First United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school for six years.  In 1988 Emily became the volunteer attendance secretary at her church for over twenty-five years. She enjoyed reaching out to church members especially on their birthdays.  Emily was also a member of the Clyde Women's Club, Abilene Retired Teachers, and the Samaritan's Sunday School Class.  She will be remembered for her stamp collecting and sharing stamps with others, her HOPE collection of anything with the word hope on it, her love of cats, and long phone calls with her grandchildren and great-grandsons that she made as soon as they began talking.

Emily is survived by two daughters, Wilma Sandra (and John) Tappan of Prosper, TX, and Marsha Diane (and Russell) Gerard of Willis, TX; three grandchildren, Brent Allen (and Krista) Tappan of Seattle, WA, Jake Robert (and Hayley) Tappan of Frisco, TX, and Carly Marie (and Drake) Kennett of Sachse, TX; and six great-grandsons,  Kyle Mathias Tappan, Drew Tomas Tappan, Graham Allen Tappan, Price Robert Tappan, Logan Drake Kennett, Declan Johnson Kennett; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Emily was preceded in death by her sister, Wilma, who died aboard the hospital ship the USS Benevolence when it was hit by a freighter under the Golden Gate Bridge. The hospital ship was on its way to Korea, but the ship sunk on August 25, 1950. As a Navy nurse Wilma tended to the injured, and sadly died just as she was being rescued from hours in the bay waters. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and three sisters, Lucretia Wickliffe, Edith McPherson, Jackie Reynolds; and husband of 47 years, Bob Shoemaker.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 5, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church of Clyde with Chaplain Kathi Edwards officiating under the direction of Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde. Burial will follow in the Clyde Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the McMurry University Scholarship Fund at the Clyde First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice. Please consider taking time to read a book to a child or doing a random act of kindness.  Mother would reward you with a fancy sticker.