Kathy Shumate Zabel

Mrs. Kathy Shumate Zabel, of Tiptonville, passed away Friday, July 31, 2026 at Jackson General Hospital.  Kathy was born October 31, 1951.  She had a love for children, working for both the Easter Seals organization and the Lake County Health Department making home checkup visits.  She had a deep love for horses and shared that with all of her family.  They traveled West Tennessee to the various saddle clubs, showing and competing.  Her role was as groom for her famlies' horses, taking care and pride in preparing them for shows.  She loved the varied styles of music that were popular in the 1970's and 80's, especially Rock & Roll.  Her family treasured her devotion to them, often putting their needs ahead of her own.  In 1964, as a student at Dyersburg State Community College, she caught the eye of a campus photographer, fresh out of the US Navy, and they soon married.  In the spring of 2026, the Zabel family celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.  

Kathy is survived by her beloved husband, Roy Zabel; her sons, John Shumate and wife, Angie, and Joshua Robert Zabel; and a daughter, Marilyn Burton and husband, Jarid. She was greatly loved as "Mama-Kathy, May-May, Gangy, Granny" and other nicknames by her grandchildren; James Logan, Hunter, Aubree, Anna, Peyton, Diana and Dante; and her great-granddaughter, Wrenlee. She is preceded in death by her brothers, Robert and Jerome Shumate; and her parents, John Hamilton Shumate and Marilyn Bargery Shumate.  

Visitation will be held at the Dyersburg Funeral Home Tiptonville Chapel on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.  Graveside funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at New Haven Cemetery in Ridgely, TN led by Bro. John Troutman.  Kathy's friends and family members will be honored to serve as pallbearers.