James Alvin Shaw

A Funeral Service for James Alvin Shaw, 85, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at Arsenal Hill A.R.P. Church with burial to follow in Woodridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. at the church. Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo is assisting the family.

Mr. Shaw passed away Sunday, July 20, 2014. Born in Iva, SC, he was a son of the late C.W. and Rosa Lee Shaw. He was a former member of Due West A.R.P. Church and a longtime member of Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church where in earlier years he served as a deacon, teacher and Superintendent of Sabbath School. Mr. Shaw received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Erskine College and his Masters of Education at the University of South Carolina. He began his teaching career in Lowndesville, SC. Upon moving to Columbia, he was a teacher and principal in Richland District One serving as principal at John P. Thomas for 20 years. After retirement, he taught an additional nine years at Sandhills Academy. He was a lifetime member of the National Education Association. Mr. Shaw centered his life around his love of God, family, music and educating children.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Rampey Shaw; daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and John McNinch; son and daughter-in-law, David and Angie Shaw; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Grace Finley and Mary Cain. He was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Shaw; sisters, Daisy Hickman and Florine White.

Gratitude is expressed to Arsenal Hill A.R.P. Church for use of their sanctuary since Centennial is not available due to a recent fire. The family also extends appreciation to the staff of Agape Senior and Agape Hospice for their care and support of James Alvin during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Centennial A.R.P. Church, 1413 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or Agape Senior Foundation, 1053 Center St., West Columbia, SC 29169.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfuneralhomedutchfork.com