Amelie Rives Rutherford Shaw

Amelie Rives Rutherford Shaw, 91, celebrated a joyful life to the fullest until she reached her loving Homegoing on June 9, 2016. In the same way that she had lived, she was accompanied at the end by dear friends, by her beloved daughter and son-in-law, Christi and Tommy Moorman, and by many of her six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, John R Shaw, who adored her and is no doubt beside himself to have her with him again.

Amelie was born March 5, 1925 in Dallas, Texas to Elizabeth Adeline Snodgrass and Roger Rives Rutherford. She was baptized at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dallas, where she lived with her grandparents for several years before moving with her family to Los Angeles and New Orleans. She finally settled in San Antonio in 1935. While attending Mark Twain Junior High School, she began her lifelong romance with John R. They both attended Thomas Jefferson High School, where they were part of the graduating class of 1942. After enrolling at the University of Texas at Austin and pledging Chi Omega, Amelie returned to San Antonio to attend Incarnate Word College after the start of World War II, and she and John R were married in October of 1945 at Christ Episcopal Church.

Amelie was a vibrant member of her community, a visionary leader and participant in every group of which she was a part. She will always be remembered and loved for her fun loving and giving heart, and for her enthusiasm. In addition to serving as a vital force alongside her husband's commitment to community building in San Antonio, she was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Circle Chairman, and also as President and Treasurer of Presbyterian Women. She was elected to serve as a Deacon in the church's first group of women deacons, a role which she cherished all her life. She was a pioneer member of Bible Study Fellowship's first chapter in San Antonio. She also loved her involvement in prison ministry with Discipleship Unlimited.

She served as President of the San Antonio Bar Auxiliary, President of the San Antonio Art League, and President of the San Antonio Visiting Nurses Association. She was an active member of the San Antonio Junior League, the Battle of Flowers, and the Southwest Foundation Forum. She made her mark on the San Antonio Country Club and the Argyle for her incredible abilities on the tennis court and at bridge, in which she played consistently for over sixty years. We will always remember her love for her daily evenings out with her family and friends. She and John R loved attending UT football games. Amelie tried to never miss a Trinity tennis match. Most of all, she loved doing ANYTHING with her family.

In Amelie's words, her greatest joys were her family and her faith in Jesus Christ. She honored both on her knees each morning in prayer at her bedside.

Amelie's pallbearers are her beloved son-in-law, Tommy Moorman, her grandsons Tommy Moorman Jr., John Moorman, Zack Moorman, Moses Moorman, and David Mauze. Her honorary pallbearers are dear friends Phil Benson, Dick Fessler, Philip Hudson, Rick Lane, Jeramy McMahon, Jean Mauze`, and Carl Newton III.

We give thanks for the inspiration, joy, and contagious love for life that she brought to so many. We love knowing that "Ammi" is still cheering us all on, just as she always did throughout her beautiful lifetime.

A memorial service will take place Monday, June 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 404 N. Alamo with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, Discipleship Unlimited, Box 145, Gatesville, TX 76528.