Ruth Shaw

age of 100 on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022. Born to the late Rev. and Mrs.

Robert H. Dudley in Culverton, GA on October 7th, 1921, Mrs. Shaw was the

eighth of ten children. As a child, she would often accompany her father—a Baptist

minister blinded from a childhood illness—on his preaching circuit throughout

rural Georgia. She frequently referred to her mother Annie Louise as an “angel,”

who ever exhibited kindness, generosity, and duty. From her parents, Mrs. Shaw

acquired a confident and unassuming faith in Jesus, and learned selflessness,

magnanimity of spirit, and an abiding love of family that she demonstrated

throughout her life. On September 13th, 1941, she was married to the late Mr.

William Harold Shaw. Mrs. Shaw’s great desire as a young woman was to rear a

family, as she had a deep love and affection for children. Though told by doctors

that she may never be able to give birth, she brought forth her first child William

Dudley Shaw on June 16th, 1948. Her beloved mother, who had always desired to

see her daughter Ruth have children, was able to welcome little Bill before she

herself died five days later. The years 1948-1949 proved difficult for Mrs. Shaw, as

she lost both her parents and, tragically, her firstborn son. She persisted

nonetheless, and went on to have five more children, who were the pride of her life.

Her husband’s business took the family to Michigan, Texas, and Pennsylvania,

before retiring to Augusta in 1983. Suddenly and unexpectedly, Mr. Shaw died in

1984, leaving Mrs. Shaw a widow. Never one to be overcome by adversity or selfpity,

Mrs. Shaw gave herself entirely to her family, particularly to her many

grandchildren whom she loved so dearly. She was a dedicated member of the First

Baptist Church in Augusta, and a volunteer for many years at the Augusta

Genealogical Society. She lived the last years of her life in the care of her daughter

Patti, who never faltered in rendering to her mother the bounteous love, respect,

and dignity of a devoted daughter. All who knew her would say that never was

there a sweeter, gentler, or more generous Wife, Mother, and Nany than Ruth

Shaw. She was a living embodiment of the duty, virtue, and steadfastness that

characterized her generation, was tireless in sacrificing her own desires for the

needs and comfort of others, and always wore a cheerful smile with unfeigned joy.

In her final words, she exhorted her family to “follow in Jesus’ footprints, showing

His love to others along your way; He will surely lift you up and guide you”.

She was predeceased by her parents: the Rev. Robert and Mrs. Annie Louise

Dudley; nine siblings: Mrs. Loris Cofer, Mrs. Almarine Livingston, Miss Carroll

Dudley, Miss Edith Dudley, Mrs. Miriam Kirwin, Mr. Louis Dudley, Mrs. Roberta

Riley, Mr. Robert Dudley, and Mrs. Jean Simone; her son William; and her

husband Mr. William Harold Shaw.

She is survived by her five children: Mr. David Carlton Shaw, Mrs. Carol Louise

Shaw, Mr. Robert Wesley Shaw, Mrs. Marilyn Ruth Orndorff, and Mrs. Patricia

Marian Scarff; twelve grandchildren: Stephanie, Christina, Carrie, Jacob, Sarah,

William, Jeffrey, Michael, Julia, Lance, Colette, and Logan; seventeen greatgrandchildren;

and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A wake and viewing will be held at Elliott Sons Funeral Home (4255 Columbia

Rd., Augusta, GA) on Monday, October 3rd, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. The Burial

Office will be sung according to the rites of The Book of Common Prayer on

Tuesday, October 4th, at 11:00 AM at St. Luke’s Anglican Church (3081 Wheeler

Rd., Augusta, GA). Interment will immediately follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

The family would especially like to thank Miss Tomecca Jackson for being a gentle

and compassionate caregiver to Mrs. Shaw during the last few months of her life.

“Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his

holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may

endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Hear, O Lord, and have mercy

upon me: Lord, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into

dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; to the end

that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will

give thanks unto thee for ever.” Psalm 30