A homegoing celebration for Mrs. Juanita Godwin Shoemake who passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2016, will be held on Saturday, October 29th, 11:00 a.m. at Greater Mt. Carmel AME Church, 4209 N. 34th Street, Rev. R.A. Polk, pastor officiating. The interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery. After spending 88 wonderful years in the care and company of loved ones and friends, the remarkable life and earthly legacy of Juanita Godwin Shoemake as we knew her ended; with sweet surrender she answered the Master's call to eternal rest. Mother Shoemake journey began in Jakins, Georgia on May 18, 1928 she was number nine of fourteen children born to the late John Clavin and Lady Cephus Godwin. Mother Shoemake accepted Christ as her Lord and personal Savior at an early age. She was educated in the schools of Early County. Mother Shoemake married her high school sweetheart, Eddie Sr., on January 2, 1950 and remained with him for 55 years until his demise on October 5, 2005. They relocated to Tampa, Florida in 1951, where three loving and beautiful children were born to this union. In her formative years, Mother Shoemake joined St. John M.B. Church, Central Park Village, downtown Tampa and became an active member serving in choir no. 3. Years later, Mother Shoemake joined New Friendship M.B. Church under the pastorate of Rev. Madison Murray serving with the Willing Worker's and Sunday School Ministry faithfully and actively serving in the church for over 30 years. She was ordained a Mother in the church and loved serving and was proud to be a mother of the church. When Mother's Shoemake health began to fail and she was unable to travel on her own, she began attending Greater Mount Carmel AME Church with her daughter, Sister Mary Shorter. She joined Greater Mount Carmel AME Church, while remaining an honorary member of New Friendship M.B. Church. She was the community's mother, babysister, nanny, nanna, cook, baker, beautician, gardener and homemaker. She had many titles and wore many hats. Mother Shoemake helped rear and raise many children in the neighborhood and community. Mother Shoemake loved God and was a woman after God's on heart. She was blessed with wisdom, knowledge, and great love for her family, church and community. Mother Shoemake's life was a remarkable one and although she has transitioned back to spirit, she will continue to live in us and through us because of what she gave while she was among us. She leaves a legacy of grace, love and beauty to all those who have known her. Left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy: children, Annie Shoemake Fipps, Mary Ann Shorter (Wilbert) and Eddie Shoemake, Jr., (Ruby); 6 grandchildren, Willette Streets, Redland, CA, Eddie Shoemake III (QShonda), Temika Shoemake, Ambra Black, Felecia Museau (Joseph) and Adrian Shoemake (Tawyna); 10 great grandchildren, Alyssa Streets, Adrian Shoemake, Jr. Joseph Museau, Jr., Kaylihb Shoemake, Justin Shoemake, Vonn'asia Smith, James Smith, Jr., Kaymari Shoemake, Hunter Shoemake and Julie Marie Museau; 2 sisters, Lylia Bea Godwin and Helen Jefferson (Jeremiah); sister-in-law, Jeanette Godwin; and a host of sorrowing nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors too numerous to name who will miss her dearly. The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, October 28th from 5 to 8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service.



Funeral Service
Greater Mt. Carmel AME Church
Saturday, October 29, 2016
11:00 AM
4209 N. 34th St
Tampa, FL 33610

Visitation
Aikens Funeral Home
Saturday, October 29, 2016
05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Tampa, FL 33610