Hazel Duncan Shumaker

Hazel Duncan Shumaker Hazel Duncan Shumaker, 94, of Granite Falls, died Oct. 2, 2017, after a brief period of declining health.Born Oct. 29, 1922, in Rhodhiss, she was a daughter of the late Julius Elmore and Betty Lou Hoyle Duncan. She was a graduate of Granite Falls High School and Clevenger Business College.At the age of 18, she took the train to Washington, D.C., to work in the Pentagon during World War II, telling her dad that he had to let her go or she would marry her second cousin (who her father didn't approve of).Widowed at 21, she returned to Granite Falls where she built a home to raise her young son.She remarried at 31 and became a homemaker and mother to four more children.Owner of Shumaker's Ceramics Studio, she taught for Caldwell Community College and enjoyed oil painting and crochet. She is survived by four children, Shirley (Ron) Kiziah of Hudson, Sandra Shumaker of Granite Falls, Sherri (Hugh) Hollar of Augusta, Georgia and Paul (Ann) Shumaker Jr. of Raleigh; two stepchildren, Steve (Beverly) Shumaker and Reggie (Randy) Hefner, both of Hickory; former son-in-law, Jeff Schauble of Granite Falls; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty Jane (Barney) Thorneburg of Hickory; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her first husband, James Ghent Starbuck I; her husband of 63 years, Paul Anderson Shumaker; a son, James Ghent Starbuck II; grandson, Aaron Kiziah; four brothers; two half-brothers, and seven sisters. The family would like to express its deepest appreciation to Kathy Bryant and Patsy Hamby CNA, for the love and care shown for their mother and to Jeff Schauble for his daily visits. The family will receive family and friends at First Baptist Church of Granite Falls on Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 1:00-2:00 p.m., with a graveside service immediately following at Sunset Cemetery in Granite Falls, officiated by Dr. Robert B. Evans. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Granite Falls, 12 Crestview St., Granite Falls NC 28630, or to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Ave. NW, Lenoir, NC28645. Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Shumaker Family. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfuneralservice.com.