Vernie Lee Shat, age 87, of Georgetown, Texas, formerly of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025, at his home while surrounded by his loving wife, Marcella and loving daughter Sheila Pottenger.
Vernie Lee Shat was born in Deer, Arkansas on January 14, 1938 to Cora Bell Self. Vernie was raised in Arkansas and moved to Missouri in his teenage years to obtain employment.
He married his first wife, Bonnie Sue Brassfield, and out of that union was born Laverne Sue Habig (Jack) of Raytown, Missouri, Cindy Shat of Saint Joe, Arkansas, Sheila Pottenger (Rob) of Kettle Falls, Washington, Leona Holahan (Tom) of Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho. On February 12, 1982 he married Marcella Hatcher-Atkison with whom he had celebrated 43 years of marriage this past February. Out of this marriage a daughter, Corey Brown of Austin, Texas was born. There are six granddaughters and two great granddaughters.
Vernie retired in 1986 from General Motors, Fairfax Kansas assembly plant with 31 years of service. He was a member of Local Union 31. After retirement, he kept himself busy by driving a school bus for the St. Joseph School District, repairing cars for Ken Smith Autobody Shop, a handyman for Mr. Allen Schrieber, and a driver for Heartland Motor Coach.
Vernie was blessed with a natural ability to build and create. He built his barn at his former residence on DD Highway in St. Joseph by himself. He enjoyed building nativity barns, shelves, etc. out of wood. He was an avid gardener by growing abundant crops of strawberries, potatoes, and other produce in which he shared his produce with a local food bank and friends. He liked to fish and hunt and on race day Sundays, he could be found cheering his favorite racecar driver, Mark Martin, on to victory. Vernie was a Christian and a member of First Baptist Church in Savannah, Missouri and nondenominational church, The Worship Place in Sun City Georgetown, Texas. He served as a Deacon for a number of years at First Baptist where he showed love and kindness for those he ministered to.
Mr. Shat was preceded in death by his mother, Cora Campbell and step father, Jerry “Hoop” Campbell and numerous half brothers and half sisters. Vernie is survived by his wife of the home, Marcella, five daughters Laverne Sue, Cindy, Sheila, Leona, and Corey. Also six granddaughters and two great granddaughters. Vernie was cremated under the direction of Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas and Funeral Services in St. Joseph, Missouri under the direction of Rupp Funeral Home. Visitation will be at 1st Baptist Savannah Church, 500 East Pawnee, Savannah, MO. on Friday, May 30 from 1-2 pm with the Funeral at the church at 2pm following the visitation. Elder C.P. Black of Journey Baptist will conduct the funeral. Burial of Vernie’s Urn will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Joseph, Mo.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Vernie’s Georgetown Sun City church, The Worship Place, with Rev. Daniel Patrick officiating. This celebration will take place on Friday, June 13 ,with visitation at 11 am, and a service following at 12. The Worship Place choir conducted by Rev. John Bell, will sing. Light refreshments will follow the service.
