Charles Morris Shuman

Charles M. Shuman (Big Shu), 87, passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021.

Charles was born on October 11, 1934 in Ellabell, Georgia to Morris and Louise Owens Shuman. He had one sister, Wauthenia, and one brother, George. After the death of his father Charles, his mother remarried Grady Shuman. In 1954, Charles married the love of his life, Jackie Martin and they had one son, Jack.

Charles was very active in the community he loved so much and touched the lives of many young people in Liberty County through recreation activities and other aspects of their lives. He worked at the Con-Site as a National Guardsman for the State of Georgia for twenty-one years before he retired and then he became the first Director of the Liberty County Recreation Department where he worked for twenty-seven years.

He was a very accomplished man and throughout his life he received many acknowledgements and awards: Charles started the Hinesville Athletic Association and the Liberty County Recreation Department; served as Senior Teen Club Advisor; he organized Liberty County’s first Fast Pitch Softball Team; he was President of Liberty Independent Troop; Director of the Liberty County Adult Softball League; served as Cub Scout Pack Master; served as a member and past president of the Hinesville Jaycees, was named Jaycee of the Year in 1967, and won the Jaycee Presidential Award in 1967 and again in 1969; named Liberty County Young Man of the Year in 1970; won the Distinguished Service Award in 1971; he was State Recreation Director of the Year in 1974; Chairman of the Hinesville Planning Commission; Charter Member of the Cherokee Rose Country Club; Christmas Parade Marshall in 2004; in 2001 the Charles M. Shuman Gym at James Brown Park was established in his honor; he served as President of the Hinesville Cemetery Trustees; founded the Liberty County Hall of Fame; received the Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award in 2010; he was a devoted and faithful member of the Hinesville First United Methodist Church for sixty-five years; and was a member of the A.G. Overman Bible Class.  

After Charles retired, he spent his time fishing, playing golf with his family and friends, and traveling with his beloved wife, Jackie. You could also find him on his hands and knees working in his yard, which he was so meticulous about. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Morris; mother, Louise; sister, Wauthenia Rossler; brother, George Shuman; and step-father, Grady Shuman.

Charles is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Jackie; son, Jack Shuman (Mary); three grandchildren, Melissa Green (Troy), Andrea Burnham (Nathan), and Josh Shuman (Lauren); seven great-grandchildren, Shelby Perkins, Troy Green, Jr., Warner Burnham, Keller Burnham, Auron Shuman, Lincoln Shuman, and Brennan Shuman; and two great-great-grandchildren, Gabe Perkins and Skyler Perkins.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at Hinesville First United Methodist Church. Burial will immediately follow in Hinesville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Charles’ family suggests donations be made to the Hinesville Cemetery Fund, 269 N. Topi Trail, Hinesville, GA 31313.

Arrangements are provided by Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit www.carteroglethorpe.com.