Philip Wade Shomaker

Phillip Wade Shomaker, age 83 of Banner Elk, the Balm Community, passed away Sunday, August 16, 2026, at his home.

He was a native of Banner Elk and the only child of the late Homer Edward and Alma Caroline Smith Shomaker. He was born in 1943 in the old Tate Hospital in Banner Elk. His parents carried him back home, on foot, during a February snow storm. Phil attended church regularly at Linville United Methodist Church. He always found comfort being surrounded by his church family.

He was a fourth generation from Banner Elk.

Phillip grew up on the family dairy farm in Banner Elk. Hard work and sacrifice was instilled in him from a very early age.

He graduated from Cranberry High School in 1961. He played football and was involved with the square dance team while attending Cranberry. Phillip was very active in the Cranberry High School Class of 1961 reunions and functions. He attended and graduated from Lees-McRae College in 1964. Meeting his wife and fellow student Cheryl Fay Williams. They were married in 1963.

Phillip had a yearning to leave the farm and pursue his dream of becoming an artist.

Following graduation from Lees-McRae College he and Cheryl moved to Richmond, Virginia and he attended and graduated from Richmond Polytechnical Institute (Virginia Commonwealth University). He graduated in 1967.

Upon graduating, he taught school in the Southside Virginia area for several years. Raising his young family in this area until the death of his father, Homer, in 1973.

He moved with his family of five back to Avery County in 1973.

In 1983 he received his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Appalachian State University.

Phil taught at Banner Elk Elementary School through the 1970’s. He also served as Principal of Minneapolis Elementary, Assistant Principal of Avery County High School, and lastly as Principal of Beech Mountain Elementary School. He retired in 2003 after 30 years of service in the Avery County School System.

Travel should have been Phillip’s middle name.

After his retirement Phil and Cheryl bought a motorhome and traveled extensively across all the lower 48 states and Alaska. Always looking for new countries to explore, they made innumerable trips to Europe over the years.

He had a passion for fishing, which included fishing in Alaska, Maine, Florida, Nova Scotia, Hawaii, and the Chesapeake Bay. And of course he looked forward to and enjoyed his annual October fishing trip to the Outer Banks.

His involvement in the Avery County community was a passion of his. Over the years he gave so much of his time and resources to many organizations and charities. He was the co-founder, along with Jim Weaver, and driving force for Feeding Avery Families, a board member for many years with RAM (Reaching Avery Ministry), Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk, served as a Guardian ad Litem (fighting for children in court), served on the Avery County School Board, and in later years volunteered as a tutor at Banner Elk Elementary School.

His honors included being the recipient of North Carolina Order of the Longleaf Pine, numerous Principal of the Year in Avery County Awards, Avery-Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year”, and many more too numerous to mention. But Phillip’s highest honor was to be able to give unselfishly to the young adults of Avery County. Phillip’s love of teaching and community service was unsurpassed.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Cheryl Williams Shomaker; two daughters, Monica Shomaker Hicks and husband Michael of Banner Elk, and Heather Shomaker Buchanan and husband John of St. Augustine, Florida; one son, Bruce and wife Kelley Gruelle Shomaker of Banner Elk; five grandchildren, Sydney Hicks Simonini and husband Edward of Oro Valley, Arizona, Tatum Hicks of Johnson City, TN, John Raleigh Buchanan of St. Augustine, Florida, Olivia Shomaker Shivar and husband Stephen of Houston, Texas, Chelsea Shomaker Byington and husband Kevin of Deltaville, Virginia, and Grace Shomaker Greene and husband Ben of Mocksville, NC; seven great grandchildren, Maddie Shivar, Colton Shivar, Lilly Welch, Waylon McGuire, Henry Greene, Isaac Greene, and Laramie Greene.

He is also survived by numerous cousins and his beloved Cranberry High School Class of 1961.

Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Newland Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the church.

A private burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery, Banner Elk.

“The time has come for me to go

And bid you all adieu

For the open highway calls me back

To do these things I do

But when I’m traveling far away

Your friendship I’ll recall

And please God I’ll soon return unto

The homes of Donegal”

(From the Irish ballad “The Homes of Donegal” Written by Sean McBride)

Sean McBride was a school teacher from Cruit Island in County Donegal

Memorial donations in Phil’s honor may be made to RAM, P.O. Box 234 Newland, North Carolina 28657, www.ramsrack.com

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Newland, is in charge of the arrangements.

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