Mrs. Sandra L. Shemwell, age 79, Johnson City, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at the Holston Valley Medical Center.
Mrs. Shemwell was born in Memphis, Tennessee and daughter of the late Robert Weinberg & Louise Hearn. She was also preceded in death by her husband, L. Homer Shemwell and son, Russell Shemwell.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was very involved with the St. Mary’s Ladies Cursillo and bible studies.
Mrs. Shemwell was a cake decorator and avid quilter. She was a member of the St. Mary’s Ladies Quilters, the Old Town Quilters Guild, and the Cotton Boll Quilters Guild.
Survivors include five children, Lucinda Heise (William), Jonesborough, Barry Shemwell (Becky), Auburn, Alabama, Vicki Nash (John), Davie, Florida, Rebecca Luza, Smyrna, Georgia and Wes Shemwell, Atlanta, Georgia; sister, Barbara Jackson, Jacksonville, Florida; daughter-in-law, Maureen Vande Beek (Dirk), Atlanta; thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Mass of Resurrection services will be conducted 12:00 pm Friday, August 14, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Peter Iorio officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00-12:00 pm Friday prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to the St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. Mary’s Catholic Church 2211 E. Lakeview Dr. Johnson City, TN 37601.
08/17/2015
Tammie Richardson
So sorry to read about Ms. Shemwell's passing. I
only knew her briefly. Even while she was going
through her own battle with cancer, she would come
to the American Cancer Society office and get old
t-shirts to make turbans for others who were
battling as well. What a beautiful legacy she has
left for so many of us. Rest now Ms. Shemwell.
08/16/2015
Charlene Elliott
My deepest condolences for the loss of your beautiful mother. She was a member of my Silver Sneakers Class at LifeStyle. She was such an inspiration to us as she fought her cancer with such courage. I never heard her complain and she always had a smile. How blessed you are to have called her "Mother" and "Grandmother". May the peace of Jesus comfort each of you and may each of you chose to join her in her eternal home when you have finished you mission on Earth.
08/15/2015
Dianne Crawford Wood
My parents, Bill & Estelle Crawford sends prayers for strength for all the Shemwell kids. Sandra was such a wonderful friend to all of us and we loved all the times spent together in Memphis. Sandra got me a job when I was 19 and I will celebrate my 38th anniversary there this year. Please know that our thoughts & prayer are with you.
08/15/2015
Bill & Estelle Crawford & family
Love and thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Find peace in knowing that she has reunited with Homer. What fun they will have playing gin rummy and camping in the beautiful, peaceful heaven. As Bill informed me memories of the camping and fishing came back vividly! Even the time when a fish magically(Barry!!)on my line! That was a houseful of Shemwell's & Crawford's! We are saying a special prayer for you all today at mass.
08/15/2015
Glenn & Bea Smith
We're neighbors of your mother. She was a beautiful person. She will be missed. She always had a smile & warm hello for all of us when we saw her & Sophie. May God Bless your family during this time of loss.
My deepest sympathies to Sandra's family. I only
knew Sandra from BRQG. She was such a delightful
lady, always with a smile. I was especially
touched recently at the Jonesboro Quiltfest, when
she and one of her daughters were taking a class
together, just a few days prior to her surgery.
08/14/2015
David & Sarah Tydings
May the Lord bless each of you in the loss of
Sandra. She will be missed at Sunridge No.
Condominiums.
Barry,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. You're in my
thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Ronnie Tyler
I've often thought about the Shemwells. Sandra was
a dear friend back in the old days at St. James. You
children will remember Ricky and Jimmy and they,
too, send their condolences, as does Sue Dolan. I
still have a bishop's costume that your mom made for
Ricky. She was a loving and care-giving person. We
corresponded a few times through the years, but then
lost touch. I am truly sorry for not only your
loss, but for her many friends as well. I pray that
she, Homer and Russell are having a great reunion.
Before her life when she returned to Tennessee to be near Lucinda, Sandra (and Homer) made many memories and friends here in Opelika. I met her while we worked on Homecoming Floats with our children while they were at Opelilka High School. Not mentioned was that Sandra was a formidable bridge player--and as a member of our bridge club of many years, we enjoyed her humorous account of her many sewing projects for the grandchildren whom she adored, admired her for her strong work ethic of early hours at the bakery, for her teaching us about life and death and handling adversity in the death of Russell, how wide her love was in keeping Maureen and their daughter as part of her life, and for being a genuine friend. And her early demise shows us again that life is all to short, but a life well lived brings meaning to us all.
08/14/2015
Claire Coyle, Therese Mendo
Our condolences and deep sympathy, for your loss. Sandra will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lucinda, Andrew, Billy and family: my heart and prayers and
lots of love to you all. What a sad day to lose a great friend
and neighbor... She will be missed by us all at
SunRidg.North... Such a loss to be taken so soon... But now
she is free of pain and suffering. Such a courageous woman
she was ... I will miss her . Rest in peace my friend... We will
be together again. Lucinda, Billy And Andrew... Than you for
sharing Nana with us . Love you all, Betsey Brock
I am so very sad to hear that Sandra has passed. I enjoyed
her very much in the Old Town Quilt Guild. She was a sweet
lady. It was a joy to be in her presence. We in the guild will
miss her greatly.
Dear Barry, Vicki, Rebecca, Wes, and Lucinda,
Your beautiful mother was my cherished cousin who enriched my life in more ways than I could ever tell you. I will always be grateful that God brought the two of us together. I loved Sandra very much, and I love you, too. You and your children are in my prayers.
08/13/2015
Angie Milam(Opelika)
Sending sincere sympathy and heartfelt thoughts in this time
of sorrow. Sandra was a very talented and loving lady. She
was a very good bridge player and did not mind setting her
opponents with a lot of grace. I am thankful to have known
such a jewel as Sandra. She was always a phone call away to
help with many projects. Heaven gained a wonderful angel
and we will miss our faithful friend!
08/13/2015
Laura (Tankersley) McClellan
Shemwell family. Ms. Sandra will be deeply
missed. She her smile was very contagious.
Praying for your family during this time.
08/13/2015
Ray and Freda Winegar
We were saddened to hear of your loss of Sandra. Sandra and
Homer were so kind and generous of their time in serving the
poor. They were active in St. Mary's Lazarus Ministries. They
did all the food shopping at the food bank for our food basket
deliveries. Sandra continued helping us after Homer's death.
She was a beautiful person and we were fortunate to call her a
friend!
I will miss Sandra at our Old Town Quilt guild meetings and
functions. She brought us the joy for life and for quilting. Most
of all she shared the love she had for her family and the humor
and courage she brought to all situations.
I did not know Sandra, but I do know how highly Bill spoke of her. My heart goes out to all of you that loved Sandra and called her, friend. God's peace be with all of you.
Barry and Becky -- I was deeply saddened by the
news of your mother's passing. My heartfelt
condolences to you and your family. She will
always be with you.
08/13/2015
Lisa Ferguson, Old Town Quilters Guild
Dear Family - my name will not be familiar to you
- but your mother was "familiar" to me through the
Old Town Quilters Guild. I haven't know her very
long -but you didn't have to know her long to know
she was a very special lady - such a sweet, gentle
spirit - so full of laughter and creativity. She
was a person who welcomed everyone around her and
made you glad to be in her company. May God
comfort you and give you His special peace in the
coming days.
Dear Lucinda, Billy and Andrew: my heartfelt love and prayers
to you all during this sad time. Sandra has been such a
special part of my life at SunRidge North... Always so happy
and bubbly. She will be missed so much. We weren't ready to
let her go so soon. She was such a strong willed fighter. I
guess God was ready to bring her home and remove all her
pain. I love you all and please keep in touch. Jean Crowe and
Betsey Brock. And Lucinda we've loved getting to know you
too... Sandra was so blessed to have you with her these past
few years.
