Carolyn Schumate

Carolyn Shumate, 52, of Brenham, died Feb. 12, 2006, at her residence after a long and courageous fight with cancer. Ms. Shumate was born Jan. 1, 1954, in North Wilkesboro, NC, to Leonard and Maudie Sue Rogers Dillard. She was baptized in 1969 in North Wilkesboro. She was known as Kiki to her grandchildren, Kendall, Tatum, Truman and Kirby, who were the joy and light of her life. Although, without a doubt, her daughter Beth Ann and only son Clayton were never out of her thoughts. The other true joys of her life were gardening and anything that took her outside. Traveling had become a regular event, especially after meeting the man in her life, Joe Cordray. Joe and his sons, Richard and Barry, introduced her to the world of sprint car racing and motorcycles. As anyone who knew her would agree, spending time with her family and friends was the most important thing to her. Survivors include her boyfriend, Joe Cordray of Brenham; daughter, Beth Ann Smidovec of Brenham; sons, Clayton Shumate of North Wilkesboro, NC, Richard Cordray and wife Shannon of Houston and Barry Cordray and fiancé Cynthia Schultz of Houston; mother, Maudie Dillard of North Wilkesboro, NC; brothers and sister-in-law, Roger and Carole Dillard of St. Cloud, FL and Roland Dillard of North Wilkesboro, NC; sister and brother-in-law, B.J. and Darrell Johnson of North Wilkesboro, NC; and grandchildren, Kendall Caroline Smidovec, Tatum Helena Smidovec, James Truman Cordray and Kirby Michelle Cordray. She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Dillard; and son-in-law, Jeff Smidovec. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 in Memorial Oaks Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 in Memorial Oaks Chapel with Jim Heckman officiating. Burial will be in St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery at New Wehdem. Pallbearers will be Richard Cordray, Barry Cordray, Bob Burch, Doug Nichols, Danny Joswiak, Eddie Gondeck, Rick Kramer and Larry Valera. Honorary pallbearers will be Rosa Gurka, Jeanette Willis and the staff at Hospice Brenham. Memorials may be given to Hospice Brenham, 302 E. Blue Bell Rd., Brenham, TX 77833. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., in Brenham.