“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
As much as Martha loved the lord this was a hard verse for her to follow. She grew up in east Texas but lived all across the country from California to North Carolina and as far away as the Philippines, where Martha with children Alan and Margaret were stationed with first husband Hank Williams while serving in the Marine Corp. They eventually settled in Jacksonville and in 1979 Martha moved back to Corpus Christi Texas and married Raymond Shaw whom she’d known since 5th grade. It was a love story in every since of the word.
Like many in her generation she had that volunteer spirit working with unwed mothers and serving for years in the Methodist church. Always the artist, her hobbies included sewing, crafts and cooking.
Once her children were teens she worked as a district manager of Strawberry Fields and later had a career in banking at Barnett then Vystar.
Martha loved to travel, she visited Europe several times including one trip with daughter Margaret, the two of them also went to Las Vegas and Cedar Key together . Her and husband Raymond had been to all 50 states and in 2014 they went on their final cross country camping trip. They also went to Hawaii with good friends Hank and Laurene Williams. Going to the casinos in Gulfport and Biloxi to catch up with Raymonds sister Carolyn and brother in law Anthony became a twice a year trip. Her grandchildren were included in there many vacations whether camping ,the condo at the beach or Disney.
Mom and Raymond loved all types of dancing especially square, western and ballroom, they were members of the German/ American club for many years.
Mom is the central part of our family, we all have wonderful memories of Thanksgivings and Christmas holidays together as well as July birthdays. She was loved by many and will be leaving a void in our lives that will be felt each time we emulate something we learned from her.
Martha is preceded in death by parents Dorothy and Walter Gneisig, survived by her loving devoted husband of 42 years Raymond, brother Fred Gneisig (Judy) ,sister Mary Forbes (Larry) daughter Margaret Ann Marks (Larry) son Alan Williams (Vicky) stepdaughters Lori and Melindi Shaw grandkids Michelle, Jessica, Matt and Casey. Great grandkids Bryan, Rachel, Cooper and Max, plus several nieces and nephews. Sister in law Carolyn Musso (Anthony), brother in law Bill Shaw (Marty)
A visitation for Martha will be held Friday, January 7, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens, Riverside Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 7, 2022 at 2:00 PM. A graveside service will occur Friday, January 7, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Riverside Memorial Park.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Shaw family.
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