CLINTON — Faye Shoemaker
Bone, born May 24, 1935, in Batesville, Ark., went home to her Lord and Savior on August 10, 2021. Left to cherish her memory are son, Steve and wife Pam; grandchildren, Abigail Bone, Matthew Wilbers, and Charles Wilbers; great-granddaughter, Tenley Wilbers; sister-in-law, Carolyn Shoemaker; brothers-in-law, Gayle (Sandy) Bone and Larry (Jan) Bone. She also had many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Adrian and Thelma Driskill Shoemaker; husband of 50 years, Paul L. Bone; daughter, Adrianne Bone Wilbers; and brother, David Shoemaker.
Faye graduated from Batesville High School in 1953 and moved to Memphis, Tenn., to attend Draughon’s Business College. After completing her education there, she moved back to Batesville, Ark., to attend Arkansas College. In 1956, as a sophomore in college, Faye was named Miss Batesville, and she went on to compete in the Miss Arkansas pageant, with her talent being a piano solo. As an accomplished pianist and organist, Faye used her talent to accompany various college events and performances at Arkansas College. Faye married Paul in December 1956, and together they moved to Clinton, Ark., where they purchased their first grocery store. They operated and grew the business for 37 years before retiring in 1994. The Arkansas Retail Grocers Association named Faye “Woman of the Year” in 1989. Faye brought her love of music with her to Clinton and taught piano lessons and played the piano at First Baptist where she and Paul were members. She later served as the music director where she enjoyed leading the congregation in hymns and the choir in Holiday Cantatas.
Faye had a love for traveling and often joked that she kept a bag packed and was always ready to go. She was very fond of all holidays and enjoyed having her house decorated for each occasion for all to enjoy. But above all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 2 p.m., with visitation one-hour prior at First Baptist Church, Clinton, Ark. Burial to follow at Clinton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity in Faye’s memory.