Dr. Ketia LaWanda Shumaker

Dr. Ketia LaWanda Shumaker, age 49, passed away suddenly on February 9, 2026, at UAB St. Vincent's Chilton.

She was born on May 14, 1976, in Ackerman, Mississippi; the beloved daughter of the late Clifton Shumaker and the late Irene Moore Shumaker.

Raised in the small community of Reform, Mississippi, Dr. Shumaker discovered her passion for science at an early age. Between the ages of six and ten, her favorite after-school pastime was watching science education programs and “playing teacher.” What began as childhood curiosity blossomed into a lifelong calling in biological and environmental sciences.

As a teenager, she participated in the Upward Bound Tri-Program, where she first learned about collegiate opportunities in biology and higher education. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Biology from Alcorn State University. During her undergraduate years, she participated in several prestigious summer research internships, including programs at Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, North Carolina State University, and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at The University of Mississippi. She was also a proud recipient of the Gates Millennium Scholarship.

Dr. Shumaker went on to earn her Ph.D. in Environmental Science with a concentration in phytoremediation from Jackson State University. Her research interests in phytoremediation, hardwood tree genomics, and dendroclimatology led to collaborative studies and funded research with colleagues from Pennsylvania State University and Virginia Tech. She authored and published scientific articles while mentoring undergraduate research interns, always ensuring students were included in meaningful scholarly work.

Following graduate school, she accepted a tenure-track faculty position at The University of West Alabama, where she faithfully served for 16 years teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in biology, environmental science, toxicology, and plant science.

In 2020, she relocated to the Greater Birmingham area, became a foster parent, and continued her teaching career as an adjunct biology instructor at Samford University. She later accepted a full-time teaching faculty position at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she remained devoted to helping lay a strong educational foundation for her students. Her teaching interests included introductory biology, environmental science, plant genetics, and environmental toxicology. Her classroom was a place of encouragement and intellectual curiosity, and she believed deeply in preparing today’s learners for a better tomorrow.

Outside of academia, she delighted in enjoying God’s creation through horseback riding, shopping, and watching a good movie. Her faith, compassion, and dedication to service were evident in every aspect of her life.

She is survived by her goddaughter, Shauna Smith and her mother, Deserel Clark; members of the Shumaker and Moore families; brother, Moses Gagakuma; nieces, Delali Gagakuma, Nya Gagakuma, and Amani Gagakuma; nephew, DeAndre Clay; and the students and faculty of The University of Alabama at Birmingham. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by Clifton Shumaker and Irene Moore Shumaker.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. from the chapel of Ellison Memorial Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Burial will follow in Chilton Memorial Gardens.

Dr. Ketia LaWanda Shumaker will be remembered as a devoted educator, accomplished scholar, mentor, foster parent, and woman of faith whose life’s work continues to impact the many students and colleagues she inspired.

Final care and arrangements entrusted to the Ellison Memorial Funeral Home of Clanton, AL.

www.EllisonMemorialFuneralHome.com