Mrs. Margaret Benners Shaw

At the young age of 94, Margaret Benners Shaw peacefully passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024. “Sugar”, a name she selected for her grandchildren to call her, was a lifelong resident of Birmingham. She graduated from Brooke Hill School for Girls, was a competitive tennis player and continued to play both tennis and bridge throughout her adult years. In 1949, she graduated from Mount Vernon College in Washington, D.C. and then moved home to begin the next phase of her active life.

Margaret was a devoted member of Independent Presbyterian Church and served as a Deacon, volunteered her time and talents to the Fresh Air Farm and STAIR Program. She was involved in Community Bible Study, a member of the Junior League of Birmingham, the Red Mountain Garden Club and Mountain Brook Club. For over 12 years, she was the proud owner of Margot’s in Mountain Brook Village where she found great pleasure helping others dress in beautiful attire and accessories. She loved to needlepoint and was an avid knitter who made hundreds of scarves and blankets to give away to those she loved. For many years, Margaret met with her Sunday Night Ladies’ group where she enjoyed dear friendship and revelry.

Margaret was known for her beauty, personality and her enthusiasm for life was contagious. She chose to live with integrity, poise and carry on in hard times. Throughout her life she faced difficulties and disappointment with grace and resilience, empowered by her faith in God, which was admired by those close to her. Her sons-in-law were “hand chosen” by her and could do absolutely nothing wrong! Everyone could see the sparkle in her eyes when surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was extraordinarily proud of all her family and loved her friends dearly.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Hatch Benners, Jr. and Margaret Builder Benners, her older sister, Allene Benners Martin, younger sister, Elizabeth “Betsy” Benners Marbury, her husband of 33 years John “Jack” Milton Grosvenor Parker, Jr., her second husband, George F. Wheelock, Jr. and third husband, Robert “Bobby” Hillhouse Shaw, and granddaughter Carleton Benners Parnell.

She is survived by her three daughters and their spouses, Margaret Parker Moor (Bill), Allene Parker Parnell (“Foots”) and Libbie Parker Morris (John). Sugar was a wonderful grandmother to six adoring grandchildren, Margaret Brooks “Brooke” Moor, William “Bill” Tillman Moor, Jr. (Taryn), Allene Parnell Neighbors (Anderson), Lindsay Morris Jordan (Jon Mark), John Cartwright Morris III (Bethany), Jack Parker Morris (Paige), and eleven great-grandchildren, all who spent quality time with Sugar. Also survivors from her marriages are George F. Wheelock III (Frances), Linn Wheelock, Kelly Gage (Pete), Bobby Shaw (Cindy) and Jody Shaw (Brenda).

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to her caregivers at Kirkwood by the River and HomeRN and especially to Margie McSwain and her husband, Damion for their years of dedication to the family.

A service in celebration of the sweet life of Margaret Benners Shaw will be held at Elmwood Cemetery at 10:30 am on Monday, August 12, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Community Bible Study (235 Hawthorn Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35242), Independent Presbyterian Church - Fresh Air Farm (3100 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35205) or a charity of your choice.

Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.