Billie Jean Shumate Boone

Billie Jean Shumate Boone was born in Middlesboro, KY the daughter of James Dewey Shumate and Mary Prudence Treadway Shumate, October 17, 1934.  She passed to her eternal reward on February 3, 2017 at the Episcopal Church Home in Louisville, KY, surrounded by her family.   She married her beloved husband, Arthur W. Boone, Jr., in Middlesboro, KY, July 22, 1956, In addition to Art, she is survived by her children, Dr. James W. Boone (Lesa) of Louisville, KY., and Mary Jean Boone of Columbus, OH, a sister, Judy S. Goble of Jacksonville FL, and her grandchildren, Seth and Abby Boone of Louisville. Billie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Music from Carson Newman College, and was an accomplished pianist and organist. She taught private piano students in her home studio for over forty years.  Many of her students continued their musical educations into college and beyond.  She delighted in helping her students find pleasure in music, as it blessed their lives and the lives of others. Professionally, she was active in the Music Teachers National Association and South Central Music Teachers Association, she was honored as Master Musician of the Year at the Master Musicians Festival several years ago. She served her Lord and First Baptist Church of Somerset as assistant organist for over fifty years.  She gladly shared her talents, often playing for weddings, funerals, civic and community functions.  She was a volunteer at the Center for Rural Development and served on several civic boards. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff of the Episcopal Church Home, and to her physicians and other caregivers both in Somerset and Louisville. The family would prefer that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to either Gideons International or the Episcopal Church Home. The family will welcome friends in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, 128 N. Main St, Somerset, KY from 11am-1pm on Saturday February 11, 2017. Services will follow in the Sanctuary at 1pm. Pulaski Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.