John “Keith” Shaw
May 25, 1957 – August 15, 2021
John, also known as Keith, was born on May 25, 1957 and died on August 15, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kermit and Pat Shaw; sisters, Linda Mae Shaw and Barbara Bowles, and his brother, Ronnie Shaw.
Keith is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharie Shaw; his children, Wendy Edwards (Beth Frazier), Brian Shaw (Tiffany), Laura Shaw and Cindy Crowder; his siblings, Larry Shaw (Brenda), Mike Shaw (Chris), Jimmy Shaw (Paula), Carolyn Shaw, Tommy Shaw (Cathy), Debbie Daniels, and Brenda Bass (Charlie); his grandkids, Katlyn, Kenzie, Addison, Hailey, Camryn, Brian, Ally, Dylan, and Ella; many other family members and his church family from Tsena Commocko Baptist Church.
You could always count on Keith’s sense of humor to lighten a room. The stories that are told of this man have lived on beyond him. He had a wheelchair race in a hospital to help pass the time; he made up “prison release papers” for his kids when they finally got off of punishment; he could also let the “joke” be on him. He was really hard-headed and didn’t like to wear sunscreen, but he loved the ocean. One year on vacation, he got a sunburn on his feet so bad that he had to be “doctored” up with a special burn cream. Of course, he couldn’t just let it be taken care of like a normal person would, what kind of fun would that be? He and Bill played this up so well, using butter knives to put the cream on and over-exaggerating how bad it really was. That event was laughed about for years to come. Regardless of how he did it, he always had a way to make you smile.
Keith loved his grandkids. As his own kids got older, we all knew we were second fiddle to those grandkids. He enjoyed getting to watch them play ball, dance in recitals, compete in talent shows, jump on the trampoline in the back yard or the big bounce house that they just HAD to have. Keith was also a lover of music. As the grandkids got older, he loved being able to play music and sing with them. He always loved watching them do the things they loved, and he was proud of every single one of them.
Keith loved to help people. Whether it was working on cars, loaning out cars, helping cut down trees, doing repairs on someone’s house, he was always there to lend a hand. In his most recent years, he dedicated himself to helping taking care of his wife Sharie. It was something that no matter who you asked, they’d tell you he could live for that reason alone.
One thing Keith would tell you about his life if he could, is his story was filled with broken pieces, terrible choices, and ugly truths. It’s also filled with a major comeback, peace in his soul, and a grace that saved his life through Jesus Christ.
Keith was a loved husband, dad, papa, brother, uncle, and friend, and will be missed. We are forever grateful for those minutes we got with him before he passed. This isn’t goodbye, but we’ll see you later. We love you.
The Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 12pm at Tsena Commocko Baptist Church, 2401 Tsena Rd, Providence Forge, VA.
Though Keith was my nephew. he was just like my son . He was always there when I needed him especially when his favorite uncle was in the hospital. I was closer to him than an aunt I was his second mother in family when they were growing up and when he was baptized. Darling go rest on that mountain in arms of Jesus till we meet again love you always. Auntie M. (Joyce)
I have a very special deep love for Keith. I’m so grateful I got to tell him that before this happened. I can’t believe he is gone. He was such a special man. When I was very young, pregnant and scared, he used to come over and play gin rummy with me everyday. He was only about 15 years old then and was already taking care of people. But the thing I will always see when I think of Keith is when my our little Ainsley died, every time I looked over to see if Larry was ok, there was Keith right by his side. I honestly don’t know what Larry would have done without him. Rest peacefully Keith. You earned it. Love you forever.
Keith was a good man I knew his family for over 40 yrs.God rest your soul
The fact that I am simply writing in Keith’s guestbook is mind blowing to me so I’ll do my best. From the time I met Keith when I was 15 years old, getting into my fair share of trouble as a youth, he has always been there, without judgement, ready and willing to help in any way he could. And that is just what he did best. Help everyone around him and never asked for anything in return. He would come over during the long days for me to sleep and take care of Camryn and Brian when Brian was a newborn. He would be the first to lend a helping hand for anything you could ever need.
I owe my love of the ocean to him and Sharie.
He was always the jokester and has handed that trait down to his grandson, Brian II. In some way I can see a part of him in each of his children and grandchildren and I think him knowing that and looking down on that, will bring him great contentment.
Rest in complete peace. Until I see you on the other side.
Love, Peanut
I just found this . I was so deeply sorry about Keith . He was a most special and wonderful guy. In my lifetime I have known many people and had lot’s of fun with them, but no one and I mean no one have I ever had as much fun with as Keith . We cut up so much that people around us could not keep up. I remember the year his feet got burnt’ at the beach . He never slowed down. In fact we got laughing over something silly and could not stop . For hours we could not even look at each other without busting up.
He was a true friend that would help you in any way possible.
I am very sorry I could not make it to his life celebration, but due to my wife’s health it just wasn’t possible. I am so glad he had Christ in his life for I know he is with the Lord.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Sharie , Wendy , and Brian and his entire family. He was so so special.
My God bring each of you comfort in all his sweet memories.