Style, grace and her amazing face keeps this 40 year relationship on fire

Ann E. Shumpert and her unbelievable smile

The Shumpert's married Valentine's Day 

The perfect nook

Style and 'bling' are signature Shumpert

Shumpert, Jr. and two grandbabies

Decorating perfection

The family in L.A.

Grace Kelly; Harlow, Jean...picture of a beauty queen. Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rodgers, dance on air. 
They had style, they had grace, Rita Hayworth gave good face. Lauren, Katherine, Lana too, Bette Davis, we love you. Ladies with an attitude. Fellows that were in the mood. Don't just stand there, let's get to it. Strike a pose, there's nothing to it...VOGUE.

The 1990 Blonde Ambition Tour featuring Madonna’s song Vogue captures the essence of Ann E. Shumpert. A graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School class of ‘86, Ann is a person that’s full of life, loves to play, will get down on the dance floor any day of the week, and is crazy about her husband (who coincidentally adores her). 

One of the best illustrations of Shumpert's personality would be to compare her to a glass of Dom Perignon. A vibrant, vintage, fresh yet mature, bubbling champagne. She has a smile that’s as big and bright as the red hot lipstick that adorns her lips. She has a huge heart and is very giving.  She said, “Sometimes it’s the little things that count and spreading joy is one of them. It doesn’t take much to do a lot.” 

It’s hard to imagine Shumpert without Jr. The two met while Shumpert was babysitting for Jr.’s older sister, L. Tanya Shumpert. “Sometimes we would hang out at the skating rink with mutual friends,” she said. It was the beginning of a lifelong partnership between two 14 year old kids. Shumpert said, “What’s really funny is we were in the same Head Start class together.” 

Shumpert and Jr. attended Paducah Tilghman High School and had plans for college after graduating. While at Tilghman, both participated in sports. Shumpert ran track while Jr. “was a sports fanatic and did it all...basketball, football, baseball and choir.” 

After graduating, Shumpert attended and graduated from WKCTC. Jr. accepted a baseball scholarship from Troy State University and received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. A couple of years later, Shumpert and Jr. said, “I do” on Valentine’s Day at Mount Moriah Missionary Church in Paducah. 

Shumpert said, “We married young and started having babies young. We were lucky, our support system was BIG.” To the Shumpert's, family means everything.  

Both Shumpert and Jr. have rewarding careers. For sixteen years, Shumpert worked in accounts payable at The Paducah Sun/Paxton Media Group. In fact, Shumpert forged long-lasting friendships with those at the newspaper. One of the most endearing qualities about Shumpert is her ability to make and keep friendships 'alive'. After leaving the newspaper, Shumpert accepted a job at the Paducah Board of Education in the Finance Department where she's employed today.

Jr. has worked at Ashland Chemical in Calvert City as a product supervisor for 15 years. Ashland, formerly ISP, has transformed from a diversified oil and chemicals company into a global specialty materials company. It's one of the bigger plants in Calvert City that keeps so many in our area employed. 

Shumpert’s love for life and all that it has to offer radiates from the inside out. It shows up in her 'bling', fashion sense, hobbies, attitude, caring nature, and love for family. Her motto is “Live, Love, Laugh.”

There are a number of things that Shumpert loves to do and decorating is one of them. She has style and taste that would give Joanna Gaines a run for her money. A designer that's reminiscent of Shumpert's chic style is Tiffany Brooks, dubbed one of the top 20 designers working today by Architectural Digest. Her opulence is considered 'classic with a twist.'  She was crowned the Design Star on the 2013 season of HGTV. Shumpert has a similar knack for decorating. She could 'Feng Shui' a broom closet. 

The couple loves to socialize poolside. Shumpert said, “The cool pool was one of the attractions to buying their home.” If you look closely at the pool pictures, you’ll find little decorating touches that are specific and purposeful down to the coasters on the table. 

Parties at the couples home are a regular event. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or just any day...everyday is the perfect day to get together with family and friends. Shumpert said, “Family is everything to me. I love everything about it. We need each other.” 

The couple have three children and three grandchildren. Shumpert said, “We have so much fun watching our children and grandchildren grow into their being. I pray for their health and safety.”  

There’s a competitive side to the Shumpert family. Many, including Shumpert and Jr., are talented athletes. She said, “We love to get together.” Watch out though, this group likes to compete. “We make a competition out of everything, sports, singing, dancing, traveling, exercising, trivia, games, cooking, fashion shows...you name it!” 

Recently, the couple and extended family traveled to Los Angeles. “We visited the LA Dodgers World Champion Mookie Betts #50.” Betts is one of several well-known professional athletes in the family. Betts helped the Dodgers take home the Commissioner’s Trophy 2020 after a 32 year drought. 

Terry Shumpert is Jr.'s brother and played professional baseball for the Kansas City Royals. Terry is a former graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School and the University of Kentucky. Another professional baseball player is Nick Shumpert, also a PTHS alumni.  He's 23 years old and plays for the Atlanta Braves. 

George Wilson is a relative of the Shumpert's, PTHS alumni, and former football player for the Buffalo Bills. Each year in Paducah, Wilson hosts a Summer Sportsfest that benefits Paducah Tilghman High School.

Chelsey Shumpert is Shumpert's and Jr.'s youngest daughter and a PTHS grad. She plays professional basketball in England. Having so many talented athletes in one family it’s no wonder the competition is fierce. 

After being together for 40 years, Shumpert said they’ve discussed renewing their wedding vows. It’s been a topic of discussion several times. Shumpert said, “I get all these fairy tale ideas and what it would look like. Then, Jr. says 'cha ching'." Shumpert continued, “Perhaps I could think of something simpler or smaller. Lol.” 

At the end of the day, it’s “Prayer, family, and just living one day at a time.” It keeps the Shumpert's in their ‘happy place’.

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