Eva Lou Shuman passed on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the Journey House in Claxton, Ga. She died two years, seven months and 12 days after her husband, Daniel Shuman, passed on January 2, 2022. Family and friends saw a noticeable decline in her health after Daniel’s death.
Eva Lou came to Reidsville as a missionary through the Methodist Church. On page 29 of the book titled Reidsville United Methodist Church, 1858-2016, she is in a 1964 photograph with her fiancé, Daniel, while arranging dishes of food for a meal on the picnic table on the grounds in front of Shiloh Church. The accompanying article, entitled “Missionary in her Home State,” briefly tells the story of her arrival in Reidsville. The book is a history of the church from 1858 to 2016 that she worked alongside the late Brenda Smith to document and publish.
“And who is that young woman?” the visitor asked, pointing out a pert blonde girl in animated conversation on the church steps.
“Oh, she’s our U.S.-2,” the pastor replied.
The visitor smiled. “Sounds like some kind of secret military weapon, doesn’t it?”
The passage went on to say the U.S.-2s were not secret, and certainly not military, but a type of weapon rapidly proving its worth in the Methodist religion. They were young men and young women who volunteered as Methodist home missionaries for two years, serving in whatever capacity the church found best suited for their diverse talents. The program, which began in 1951, was sponsored by the Women’s Division of Christian Service of the Methodist Board of Missions. In 1964 such a program dovetailed well with President John F. Kennedy’s Peace Corps that allowed young men and women to serve in a similar capacity to help people in nations around the world.
Her main assignment was training youth and adult leadership for the present and future. In her 1959 Ford, she pushed some 18,000 miles a year, organizing workshops, training adult workers, planning vacation Bible School institutes, teaching classes, and conducting schools for Christian workers. She met with ministers and Women’s Society Groups, borrowed and returned hymnals, bought food for church affairs, operated a mimeograph machine, and made talks. After visiting Reidsville United Methodist, she would become Mrs. Daniel Shuman.
It was a good match. While Daniel worked in Juvenile Probation and eventually rose into a position of leadership in South Georgia, Eva Lou worked under the direction of Mrs. Celina Sharpe in the Tattnall County Department of Family and Children’s Services where she became Director when Mrs. Sharpe retired. She dedicated 34 years of her life to TCDFACS.
Even with her job with TCDFACS, a big part of her life’s focus continued to be on the Methodist religion, and in particular The Reidsville United Methodist Church. On page 38 of His-tory of the Reidsville United Methodist Church 1858-2016, a brief introduction to the section that focused specifically on 1911 to 2016 reads as follows.
“Included in this book is a history of Reidsville United Methodist Church from 1911-2016. It is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather a collection of pictures and articles provided by church members over this time period. Eva Lou Shuman is thanked for leading this project, and historians Lillian Eason and Alda Higdon as well as many other persons who contributed information and pictures.
On the cover, you will see a photograph of our lovely church, but RUMC is so much more than this beautiful building. It is the people, the feeling, the special experiences of joy and sadness, the awakenings, the celebration of births and christenings, and the goodbyes of funerals that have occurred at this place.
Certainly, Eva Lou’s dedication to RUMC and her job with TCDFACS meshed. In a real sense, her day job was an extension of her efforts through the Methodist Church to help children and the less fortunate. At RUMC, she served in many leadership positions. She was a Sunday school teacher, President of the Methodist Women, a member of the Administrative Board, and Church Historian. In addition, she sought also to serve the community politically as did Daniel. While he served several terms as the Second District County Commissioner of Tattnall, she served one term on the Reidsville City Council.
Except during those times when they were working, they were almost always seen together. That ended when Daniel died in 2022, and she was already experiencing health issues. She loved working outside so there was a danger she could fall and get seriously injured with no one around. Perhaps due to the fact that Daniel was gone, insomnia became more frequent. Her daughter, Danette, decided to move in with her as a precaution and did so soon after Daniel died. It required dedication as Danette was a nurse at Optim Hospital in Reidsville, and a 24-hour day was not long enough to get everything done, but she knew it was the right thing to do.
Her son, Jim, carried her out on Fridays for a meal to spend time with her and get her out in public at least briefly.
“It became tougher as time went on because she still wanted to do things we knew she couldn’t do, and she was very determined,” Danette said. “But she wanted to stay in her home and I understood that. It was really exhausting because I felt like we needed to keep our eyes on her all the time, but I really miss her.”
Both Danette and Jim realized their mother was ready to meet the Lord, and the former U.S.2 Methodist Home Missionary went home on August 20, 2024. She came to Reidsville 60 years ago on a mission to help the less fortunate through the church, and she had an impact on all who came to know her.
