Obituary of Rachel Mahan Bryant Shoemaker

Rachel Bryant Shoemaker, 91, was called to heaven on June 29th, 2022. Rachel was born in Jellico, Kentucky on August 2nd, 1930, Rachel was a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and received her masters from Georgetown University. She taught school for 39 years in Boone, Harlan and Franklin County. Over the course of her teaching career, she taught primarily 1st grade. She taught at Elkhorn Elementary in Frankfort, KY for many years.. She had a passion for teaching children to read. She was a dedicated Christian and member at the Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church.

Rachel enjoyed reading, Sunday School with her friends, sending cards to friends, and playing card games.

Rachel Bryant was married to John Benson Shoemaker for 68 years. He preceded her in death on June 16th, 2022. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Dillard and Dora Bryant and her 13 siblings, Nell Bryant Wheeler, Hazel Bell Bryant, JD Bryant, Perry Bryant, Thomas "Ben" Bryant, Milton Bryant, Mary Francis Bryant, Sable Mae Bryant, Genevieve Bryant Worrell, Simon Bryant, Cecil "Ed" Bryant, Harry Bryant, Bill Bryant. She is survived by three children, Lynn Todd (Barry) of Somerset, Vickie Oliver (Kelly) of Frankfort, and Jan Herring (Phillip) of Virginia. She was the proud grandmother of John Barrett (Jillian) Todd, Rachel (Brad) Hardesty, Tyler (Hannah) Todd, Robert (Molly) Oliver, Joshua (Jennifer) Herring, Christopher (Hannah) Herring and Samuel Herring. The great joy of her life was her 8 great grandchildren, Sadie Stroderd, Lyla Hardesty, Amelia Hardesty, Piper Oliver, Tillie Oliver, Eden Todd, Sutton Oliver and Henry Todd. She leaves many wonderful friends and former students who remember her fondly.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church, with Pastor Todd Lester officiating. Burial will follow at Frankfort Cemetery. Serving as casket bearers will be John Todd, Tyler Todd, Rachel Hardesty, Rob Oliver, Joshua Herring, Christopher Herring and Samuel Herring. Honorary casket bearers will be Barry Todd, Kelly Oliver and Phillip Herring . Visitation will be held from 11 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.