Carolyn Shoemaker

Carolyn Shoemaker was born on August 29, 1939 in Bastrop Louisiana to parents, Earl Powell and Martha Ann Rebecca (Hunt). She passed from this life on Saturday January 17, 2026 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma at the age of 86. Carolyn was a 1957 graduate of Bastrop High School. After high school she met William “Bill” Shoemaker of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania and they were married less than a year later on February 2, 1958 in Bastrop, Louisiana. They were gifted with two children, daughter Donna and son Billy. Bill was a member of the United States Air Force for 22 years and during this time both Carolyn and Bill were able to experience and live in many different places across the country and for a few years in Aviano, Italy. On January 25, 1977, Carolyn had a kidney transplant which allowed her 48 more wonderful years with her family. She was active in the support of organ transplants and organized fundraisers and awareness as appreciation of the lifesaving gift she received. After retiring from the Air Force Carolyn and Bill lived in Wichita, Kansas for 18 more years and were active members of Sharon Baptist Church. In Wichita Carolyn worked as a secretary for an oil and gas company for 16 years. They moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in 1995 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Carolyn was an active member of Arrow Heights Baptist Church for the past 30 years until her passing. She was always guided by her faith in God, drawing strength, direction and courage from her Christian beliefs. Carolyn always enjoyed traveling, she and Bill were members of a camping group for many years and planned many memorable road trips with their grandchildren and children. She loved the outdoors and traveling back to Louisiana to visit with her family. An avid scrapbooker, she had a passion for creating family photo albums and regularly attended local “crops” with her daughter and friends. One of her favorite pastimes was playing cards and board games with friends and family. She never missed the chance share her hospitality and host birthdays, holidays and Sunday get togethers. Carloyn is survived by her two children, daughter, Donna (Shoemaker) Long and Fiancé Gary of Broken Arrow, OK, son, Bill Shoemaker and wife Cherry of Sand Springs, OK. Three grandchildren, Jessica Rabideu and husband Gerren of Jenks, OK, Caleb Long and wife Katie of Tulsa, OK, and Ethan Long and wife Channena of Coweta, OK. Bonus grandchildren Nathan, Charity, Chera and Chance and five great grandchildren, Josh, Adelina, Silas, Luke and Gwyn. Caroyln was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Martha Powell, husband, Bill Shoemaker, Sr. and greatgrandchild, Silas Long.

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Carolyn Shoemaker

August 29, 1939 - January 17, 2026