Susan "Danette" Gainer Shoemaker

Funeral services for Susan “Danette” Gainer Shoemaker, 64, of Pollok, formerly of Huntington, will be held Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Lufkin with Brother Bennie Boles and Brother Keith Bickley officiating. Interment will follow in the Gann Cemetery.

Danette was born November 27, 1959 in Lufkin, Texas to LaWanna (Durham) Gainer and the late Joe Gainer, and died Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in a local hospice facility.

Danette graduated from Huntington High School in 1978 where she then attended Stephen F. Austin State University and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Business Degree. She worked for Davis Insurance for more than 20 years, retiring in 2013 to help take care of her father-in-law. She worked with the youth of O’Quinn Baptist church and loved taking them to church camp and on mission trips to New Mexico and Missouri. She taught GA’s and was instrumental in getting the food pantry started at O’Quinn. She was also secretary and treasurer for the Central Volunteer Fire Department and the Angelina County Firefighters Association for many years. She served as Secretary/Treasurer for the East Texas Goat Show Team for the youth of Angelina County and surrounding areas, as well as a Club Manager for the Blue Ribbon 4-H for several years. Danette loved going camping, hunting, fishing and working in the shop doing crafts or re-doing furniture, and traveling with her husband to Texas Farm Bureau events. Her biggest joy was being around her two grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Curtis Shoemaker of Pollok; son and daughter-in-law, Forest and Lauren Shoemaker of Pollok; grandchildren, Bentley Shoemaker and Maddi Shoemaker of Pollok; mother, LaWanna Gainer of Lukin; sister and brother-in-law, JoAnne and Ben Wilroy of Huntington; sister-in-law, Delores Reynolds of Lufkin; niece, Addie Alexander and husband Nathan of Pollok; nephews, Richard Wilroy and wife Rachel, US Navy stationed in Connecticut, John Wilroy and wife Faith of Huntington, Rusty Redd and friend LeeAnn Trapp of Pollok, Wyatt Alexander, US Navy in Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Illinois, and  Tucker Alexander of Pollok; great-nephews, Barley Redd and Bladin Redd of Lufkin; special sons, Caleb Brewer and wife Aspen of Gladewater, Andy Brewer and Riley Brewer, both of Lufkin; special friends, James and Ann Kyle of Whitehouse, Bennie and Debbie Boles of Jacksonville,; goddaughter, Lacy Mitchmore and husband Toni and their children of Shreveport, Louisiana; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Joe Gainer; grandmother, Ollie V. Durham; father-in-law, Gene A. Shoemaker; brother-in-law, Jimmy Reynolds; goddaughter, Casey Boles; along with other aunts and uncles.

Pallbearers will be Mike English, John Wilroy, Caleb Brewer, Nathan Alexander, Tucker Alexander, and John Curry.

Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Wilroy and Wyatt Alexander.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice in the Pines and Danette’s nurse, Pebbles Steadham, for the care and love they gave our loved one. We would also like to thank the staff of Elite Medical Home Care for the care and love they gave our loved one, especially caregiver, Marquila Reed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W. Frank Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904, The American Alzheimer’s Association, Houston and SE Texas Chapter, 6055 S. Loop W., Houston, Texas 77087, or to any church of your choice.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday morning prior to the service.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.