June 27, 1944 – September 6, 2026
John Rabon Shoemaker, age 82, passed away at his home in Brinson, GA on September 6, 2026.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Brinson Baptist Church with Rev. Ellis Hardwick and Rev. Robert Crapps officiating. Interment will follow at Brinson Cemetery with Alan Sims, Robert Cohen, Mike McComb, Jason King, Steven Hicks, and Rob Cohen serving as active pallbearers.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to Brinson Baptist Church, PO Box 655, Brinson, GA 39825 or Brinson Cemetery Fund, PO Box 693, Brinson, GA 39825.
John, known to his family as Johnny, was born to Lester Harper Shoemaker and Marion Rabon Shoemaker on June 27, 1944. He grew up in Blakely with his brothers, Larry and Richard, and his sister, Sharyn. He graduated from Blakely High School in 1962 and from Valdosta State College in 1967.
In June 1967, he married Annette King and in September joined the U.S. Army. He graduated from OCS in July 1968, and he and Annette drove to Alaska for his first assignment. After a year, he received orders to Vietnam where he served in the First Infantry Division. While he was there, his daughter, Sherri, was born in Bainbridge, GA. After his discharge, the family moved to Dawson, GA where he was employed by the GA Department of Corrections as a probation officer. He retired as Chief Probation Officer of the Pataula Circuit in 2000. While in Dawson, John was a member of First Baptist Church and the Willing Workers Sunday School Class. John was an avid golfer and played golf at the Dawson Country Club and at Stonebridge in Albany. He scored FIVE holes-in-one during his golfing years.
In 2006, John and Annette moved to Brinson to be near family. He enjoyed fishing on Spring Creek, traveling some, and going on cruises with friends. In Brinson, he was a member of Brinson Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and on various committees.
John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Annette King Shoemaker; his daughter, Sherri Moody (Bobby); and his brothers, Larry Shoemaker and Richard Shoemaker (Kathy). He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Billy Moore (Ellen), and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his sister, Sharyn Moore, and his sister-in-law, Pat Shoemaker.
Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)
