Elbert G. Shaw, Jr., 91, of Dalton, GA, died on Sunday, January 20, 2013.
He was born in Cartersville, GA on August 13, 1921, the son of the late Elbert G. and Genevieve Shaw; and was also preceded in death by his brothers, David and Clayton Shaw; and his wife, Betty Bowman Shaw.
Elbert was an Elder and active member of First Presbyterian Church of Dalton and Christ Church Presbyterian. Following a career in hospital administration he served as a Human Resources Manager for Shaw Industries for twenty-four years, taking “early retirement” at age seventy-five. At age fifty-five a member of his family asked him if he had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through scriptures and the prayers and witness of friends, God began to show Elbert the true meaning and utmost importance of having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus said “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). He also declared “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me (John 14:6). After becoming a born again Christian, Elbert became a volunteer in the Whitfield County Jail Ministry. In 1976, through a series of events that he said only God could have orchestrated, he was invited to the visit the Dalton Youth Detention Center. There he and two friends began a weekly church service that, along with other volunteers, has continued to meet Tuesday nights for over 34 years. God gave Elbert a special love and concern for young boys and girls in crisis situations, and through the years he was blessed to introduce many hundreds of them to Jesus Christ through individual counseling and witness. Always being sure to give total glory to God, he often said “God does the work in their lives and He just lets me watch him do it.” In 2004 Elbert was named Stakeholder of the Year by the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice for outstanding service and commitment to the youth of Georgia. In February 2007, in recognition of of over thirty-one years of volunteer service, the General Assembly and State Senate passed a resolution to change the name of the Dalton RYDC to the Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center.
He is survived by his son, John Shaw of Dalton; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. David and Jan Shaw of Suwanee, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Bobby Forester of Dalton; grandchildren, Beth Shaw Muetzelfeld and husband Bret of Sugar Hill, GA, Sarah Shaw of Suwanee, GA, Dave Shaw of Athens, GA and Amy and Susan Forester both of Dalton; and great-granddaughter, Hope Shaw of Suwanee, GA.
A service to the glory of God will be Thursday, January 24 at 11 a.m at Christ Church Presbyterian with Dr. David Shaw and Dr. Mickey Shealy officiating. The volunteers and staff of the Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center are requested to serve as honorary pallbearers. Burial will be in Whitfield Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of Christ Church Presbyterian immediately following the service.
The family ask that flowers please be omitted and donations be made to the Christ Church Presbyterian, 510 S. Tibbs Rd., Dalton, Ga. 30720 or to Fellowship of Christian Athletes, P.O. Box 2414, Dalton, Ga. 30722-2414 or to Growing in Grace Resources, P.O. Box 429, Suwanee, Ga. 30024-0429.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.