Shade M. Mecum, Jr.

Shade M. Mecum, Jr.
September 9, 1919 - September 2, 2014

Shade Morris Mecum, Jr., age 94, of St. Albans, WV and Charlotte, NC passed away on September 3, 2014.

Shade was born on September 9, 1919 in Winston-Salem, NC to Shade Morris Mecum and Cora Myrtle Mecum. He was a resident of the Methodist Children's Home of Winston-Salem from 1929 until he graduated from RJ Reynolds High School in 1937. Shade moved to Charleston, WV in 1937 to attend Morris Harvey College and participate in their athletic programs.

In 1940 Shade married Rachel Browder, a senior nursing student, and he and Rachel raised four children-Shade Morris Mecum III, Anne Mecum Nelson, the late Susan Mecum Burgess and Robert Clyde Mecum. Shade worked for the Westvaco Corporation beginning in 1939 at an entry level position and gained experience in many mechanical crafts. Later he joined the Instrument Department and became Supervisor in this department. In his last five years of employment, he served as a trainer of instrument technicians in a program he authored and designed.

Shade was very active in volunteer service in his community, serving as a Cub Scoutmaster and as Assistant District Commissioner in charge of training den leaders. He was also a 4H Club Leader, a Sunday school teacher and was involved in various small businesses, including Hi Lawn Enterprises, Mecum's Confectionary, and, with his wife, a successful Baskin Robbins Ice Cream franchise. He and Rachel enjoyed spending 25 winters in Destin, FL and traveling in their VW camper.

Since 2005 Shade and his wife Rachel have lived in Aldersgate Retirement Community, where he served as a member of the Resident Council. He and Rachel enthusiastically campaigned for their daughter Susan who served as Mayor Pro Tem of Charlotte.

Shade is survived by his wife, his sisters Pat and Annie, three children, eleven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren.

A memorial service honoring Shade's life will be held Sunday, September 7, at 1:00 pm in the Aldersgate Chapel, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Children's Home, 1001 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104 or St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 815 Kanawha Terrace, St. Albans, WV 25177.