C. Gail Shewmake's Obituary
After a life full of family, travel and continuous learning, Charlene “Gail” Shewmake passed away peacefully on October 1, 2024.
Charlene Gail Hughes was born on November 15, 1941 in Mineral Wells Texas. Her parents, Charles and Lanore Hughes, raised Gail and her sister Dr. Millie Hughes-Fulford to appreciate learning and travel, two themes that would continue to resonate throughout her life. Gail met Phillip Royce Shewmake in middle school and the couple started dating in high school. Phil was two years older than Gail and he waited for two years to start college so that the couple could attend Tarleton State University together and study together (stated another way, they coordinated their college schedule so that Phil could rely on Gail for help with his homework).
Phil and Gail were married on January 1, 1960. Gail began teaching at Weatherford high school shortly thereafter and over her nearly 40 year career as an educator she was twice recognized (once by the Governor Mark White and again by Governor Bill Clements) as one of the top public school educators in the State of Texas. Gail created the initial curriculum for American Indian Studies program that was at the time, unique in the United States but has since been adopted by many other school districts. One of Gail’s many blessings was the encounter with or outreach from former students who would frequently go out of their way to tell Gail what a big difference she had made in their education and life.
Gail and Phillip shared the driving when they took their family on numerous cross country trips which usually had a history oriented theme (for example, the Louis & Clark Trail, the Oregon Trail, Civil War battlefields, etc.). These were wonderful, eye opening learning opportunities never included Disneyland or similar amusement parks, but did involve living in a tippee, which was kind of amusing. Kind of. And while Phillip Shewmake would never set foot on an airplane, Gail took her own children as well as dozens of Weatherford High School students on various trips to Europe, the Soviet Union and the Middle East.
Gail was preceded by Phil who passed away in 2008 and her sister, Dr. Millie Hughes Fulford who passed in 2022. Gail is survived by Charles Shewmake (spouse Naisha), Kenneth Shewmake, Heather Shewmake (spouse Adam Tamez) and Dr. Melissa McFadden (spouse Mike). Gail is also survived by seven grandchildren Alexandra Shewmake, Danielle Mathiesen (spouse Matt), Caleb McFadden, Phillip McFadden, Ian McFadden, Lucas Shewmake and Reina Shewmake as well as one great grandchild, Emerson (“Emmy”) Mathiesen.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers the Family would encourage concerned friends and loved ones to consider a tax deductible donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. http://www.alz.org
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