Brighten Max Shoemake

Brighten Max Shoemake, age 21, loving son, brother, and devoted friend, passed away early Saturday morning at his home.

Brighten was born July 24, 1994, in Okmulgee, OK, the son of Kevin and Nancy Gibson Shoemake. He was currently working as a Patient Care Technician in the Emergency Department at Vanderbilt Medical Center while pursuing a degree in Nursing at Columbia State Community College. Emergency medicine, in all its forms, was Brighten’s passion and he aspired to being part of a LifeFlight team.

Brighten’s name fit him perfectly. He had a way of brightening up the atmosphere around him and impacting the lives of those around him. As a little boy, Kevin and Nancy would sing “You Are My Sunshine” to him, as he was such a bright and shiny part of their lives. Brighten had such an infectious smile and loved having fun no matter where he was, but there was also a serious side to him.

Survivors include his parents, Kevin and Nancy Shoemake of Franklin; one brother, Connor Shoemake of Franklin; his fiancée, Beatrice Bancroft of Franklin; grandparents, Max and Phyllis Shoemake of Morris, OK and Richard and Mary Lou Gibson of Houston, TX; aunts and uncles, Willie and Kristy Huckabee of McAlester, OK, Vernon Gibson of Dillon, CO”, Guy and Geri Gibson of Boulder, CO and James and DeAnna Gibson of Houston, TX.

A memorial service for Brighten will be conducted Saturday at 11:00 A.M. in the Worship Center of Thompson Station Church with Pastor Tom McCoy officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service during a reception at the church.

Cremation Society of TN is assisting the family with their arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cremationsocietyoftn.com.