Sister Freddie Mae Shaw, 72, answered a call to live in a mansion not made by hand on July 12, 2006. She died at Infirmary West Hospital in Mobile, AL. Sister Shaw was born in Orrville, on January 3, 1934 to the late Elijah and Millie (nee: Garling) Thomas, Sr. At an early age she dedicated her life to Jesus Christ at Providence Baptist Church in Orrville. She graduated from Keith High School. On March 1, 1964 she married Charlie ‘Melvin” Shaw in Mobile, AL. God blessed her with her mate for life until he preceded her in death on December 2, 1999. Upon relocating to Racine they united with the Second Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Mack C. Davis. Several ministries were blessed by her spiritual input including, the Mission, Willing Workers, and Sunday school. When her husband was ordained as a deacon, Sister Shaw became an active God fearing deaconess. The Shaw’s were inspired by God to unite with Christ Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, becoming charter members under the leadership of Rev. Dr. William Lofton. A student of God’s Holy Word, she grew stronger in God through Christian Education. Under Dr. Lofton’s leadership, she was chair of the Deaconess Ministry, co-counselor with her late husband for new member orientation and teacher for Sunday school and VCBS. She completed all four phases in the Certificate of Progress Program of the Sunday School Publishing Board in the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Christ Chapel was blessed to have her as a certified Christian Leadership School of Christian Education instructor and a regular attendant in the WGBS Congress. She moved back home to Mobile, AL to fulfill a dream of her and her late husband’s. She joined the Friendship Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. John Payne, serving on the Mother’s Board and as a Sunday school teacher. Sister Shaw worked in numerous fields outside of her church as well, including, Badger Uniform, Laidlaw Transportation and 36 years at Daimler-Chrysler. She served many years in the UAW Local 72, including as a chair of the Civil Rights Committee. She leaves seven loving children, Frank (Patricia) Thomas of Racine, Charles Underwood, Wilbert (Esther) Underwood of Orrville, AL, Patricia (Bobby) Winston, Kathy Thomas both of Racine, Charlie (Monica) Shaw of Florida and Natashia Shaw of Racine to cherish her precious memories. Also surviving are three sisters, Letha Thomas of Mobile, AL, Minnie (Riley) Jones of Chicago, Annie (Bance) Franklin of Mobile, AL; four brothers, Elijah Thomas of Mobile, AL, David C. (Betty) Thomas of Broadview, IL, Phillip Thomas, Levi (Catherine) Thomas of Orrville, AL; three aunts, Mamie Phillips of Ohio, Jeannie Merriweather and Mae Francis Jones of Tuscallosa, AL; two uncles, Frank Shaw of Greensboro, AL, LeRoy Shaw of South Carolina; three sisters-in-law, Audrey Jones, Jannetter Shaw of Mobile, AL, Gwendolyn (Rufus) Scott, Lois Shaw both of Racine; four brothers-in-law, Merriweather (Barbara) Shaw, Frank (Freddie) Shaw, Abner (Carolyn) Shaw all of Racine, Bernard Shaw of Pontiac, MI; 18 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her mother and father-in-law, Brother Charlie and Sister Willie Shaw; sister-in-law, Fannie Shaw; four brothers-in-law, William, Riley and Walter Shaw, Captain Jones and one granddaughter, Hailey Underwood. Family and friends are invited to meet at Christ Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (815 Park Ave.) on Friday, July 21, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. for the celebration of Freddie Mae’s Homegoing service with Rev. Dr. William Lofton officiating. Interment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. There will be a viewing in the church at 10:00 a.m.
Sign the Guestbook