2025ObituariesJames Booker Shoemaker

A Celebration of Life

On March 6, 2025, James Booker Shoemaker, better known as JB Shoemaker, went to be with his Lord and Savior. He was a member of Judson Baptist Church and lived in Watson, LA, for over 37 years. JB would say, “On July 20, 1949, the happiest moment for my parents, Cicero and Letha Shoemaker, was when an 11-pound bouncing baby boy came into their lives.”

JB was the third of three boys. As the baby of the family, he was spoiled. JB’s father died when JB was twelve years old, and his mother became the family’s provider, raising JB independently.

JB became a Christian and was baptized at 9 years old. However, he felt the Lord tugging on his heart again just a few years ago. He was rebaptized at one of his favorite places to witness to others: The Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, LA.

JB loved basketball. As a 6’6” tall and passionate young man, he was recruited to play quickly. During high school, he played basketball in Canton, MS, under Coach Russum. When Coach Russum took a job in Moss Point, MS, JB and his mom followed him, and JB finished his high school career. As an outstanding basketball player, JB was selected to join the Mississippi All-Star basketball team in 1969. Keeping his family as his focus, he wanted to stay close to his mother and played at Perkerston Junior College for two years.

After he finished playing, JB moved to Whitworth Methodist College in Brookhaven, MS, where he met the love of his life, Brenda Joy Hutson. It was undoubtedly love at first sight, and they married six weeks later at Easthaven Baptist Church in Brookhaven, MS, spending the next 53 years together.

To know JB was to love him. Always with a constant big grin, JB never met a stranger. He was known for walking up and down Hwy 16 with his long stick and sidekick pup, Sandy. We all know he loved his cell phone.

The legacy of JB leaves a profound impact on our community and all of those surrounding us.

JB is remembered as a servant of the Lord, filled with kindness, compassion, and love for those around him. He loved many scriptures, but 1 John 3:17 is one of his favorites: “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion-how can God’s love be in that person.” JB loved sending daily devotionals to many people and would leave scripture verses or encouragement on his voicemail for others to hear when they called him.

JB served on disaster relief teams and attended mission trips. His ministry to the men in Angola was one of his greatest passions. His actions inspired others to reach out, creating a ripple effect of love and kindness: God, family, and friends.

JB is survived by his wife of 53 years, Brenda Joy, his children, Alice Melissa Shoemaker and her friend Derek, Scott Cicero Shoemaker and his wife Traci, and Carrie Lynn Hynes-Shoemaker and her wife Whitney his twelve grandchildren Alexis Longmire Dupont and her husband Joey, Haleigh Longmire, Lucas, Levi and Logan Shoemaker, Berkeley Hynes-Eszlinger, Noah, Serena and Kingsley Hynes-Shoemaker, Jacob and Josie Dupont and two great grandchildren Kyson James and Demi Kate, brother-in law Buddy Hutson and his wife Vicki, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

JB is preceded in death by his parents, Cicero and Letha Shoemaker; his in-laws, Alfred and Audrey Hutson; his two brothers, Wilson and Jimmy Shoemaker; his sister-in-law, Geraldine Huffty; and his son-in-law, Farrell Scarborough.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Judson Baptist Church, 32470 Walker North Rd, Walker, LA 70785. Visiting will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with a celebration service starting at 11:00 a.m. The family is asking you to please wear happy colors to honor JB (please, no black).

In lieu of flowers, you can donate to your church of choice in memory of JB Shoemaker.