Rev. Darreld Russell Shoop, 90, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Kings Daughters Nursing Home in Staunton, Virginia.

Returning from WWII as a Gunners mate in the United States Navy in 1946, Rev. Shoop married Verna Evelyn Middleton and began their life together farming in upstate New York. After having six children, Rev. Shoop felt the calling to the ministry and upon being ordained into the United Methodist Church he gave his farm to his brother-in-law and began his ministry in northern Pennsylvania. When asked why he gave instead of selling the farm he said he believed the Lord would provide his way. Rev. Shoop spent his last days sharing his room in the nursing home with his wife Verna, the woman he met and married after returning from the War in 1946.

Rrev. Shoop began his ministry in 1958 serving five churches in Northern Pennsylvania. He moved back to New York and continued his ministry. It was there he became involved in the Civil Rights movement of the Sixtys. In 1966, he was called to the Virginia conference of the United Methodist Church moved his family (eight children now) to Brunswick County, Virginia. He continued serving churches in Prince George County, and Albemarle County. Rev. Shoop was the first director of Westview on the James, the United Methodist Church Camp in Goochland, Virginia, and completed his ministry with charges in King George County and Mechanicsville, Virginia.

Rev. Shoop is survived by his wife Verna and their eight children, thirty-five grandchildren, fifty-eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. His children include: Cynthia Williams, Dorothy Hartwell and her husband Wayne, Darreld (Russ) Shoop II and his wife Sharon, David Shoop, Paul Shoop and his wife Vali, Philip Shoop and his wife Sandy, Valerie Johnson and her husband Larry, and Joseph Shoop and his wife Debra.

A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2015 at Calvary Baptist Church, 105 Garland Drive, Staunton, Virginia. The funeral service will be on Monday, June 1, 2015 at Oakwood United Methodist Church at 1291 Columbia Road, Columbia, Virginia. A viewing and family gathering will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the service at 12:00 p.m.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.