Thomas Shook, Jr.

Thomas Elwood "T. E." Shook, Jr., age 84, of Harkins Avenue passed away on Monday, December 28, 2009, at Mission Hospital, Memorial Campus. A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Thomas Elwood Shook, Sr. and Odell Rogers Shook. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Morris Shook. He was a United States Navy veteran serving on the USS Alabama. He retired from Champion International with 40 years of service as an electrician. T. E. was a member of West Canton Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, of 63 years, Mary Ruth Poe Shook; two daughters, Sharon Elaine Soesbee of Gainsville, GA and Tenya Marlene Reed of Canton; a sister, Hiawatha McKinnish of Canton; three brothers, Harold Blaine Shook and his wife, Libby, and Howard Wayne Shook and his wife, Margie, all of Canton, and Reverend Jackson Sherman Shook and his wife, Shelia, of Easley, SC; three granddaughters, Tracy Elaine Reed, Holly Michelle Kelley, and Cynthia Nicole Roten; and a great-granddaughter, Mattyson Reed Garnes. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Joe Steadman and Reverend Jack Shook officiating. Burial will follow at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to West Canton Baptist Church, 75 Lowe Street, Canton, NC 28716.

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