Barbara Carter Shaw

Barbara Carter Shaw, 78, of Austin, Texas, passed away May 22, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. Barbara was born on July 29, 1936, in Savannah, Georgia, to Henry B. Carter and Minnie R. Carter. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband of 55 years, Julian Carr Shaw.

Through twelfth grade, Barbara attended The Pape School in Savannah. After graduation, she attended Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia and Armstrong State College in Savannah, where she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In 1977, she graduated Suma Cum Laude from Atlanta Community College as a registered nurse. As a nurse, she enjoyed caring for children, working in the Tumor Registrar's Office of St. Joseph's Hospital and found great passion in volunteering for those needing hospice care. After Julian's retirement in 1999 and to the delight of their family, they moved to Texas.

Barbara was extremely talented, both musically and artistically, an avid reader, and quite witty as was evidenced by those with whom she enjoyed sharing her stories of the Deep South and the many places she and Julian had traveled. She loved to entertain and to make people laugh. Her presence will be greatly missed by all.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Catherine Shaw Riley; son-in-law, Philip M. Riley, Jr., both of Austin, Texas; granddaughter, Sarah Carter Riley, RN, of Corpus Christi, Texas; two nieces and numerous friends.

The family would also like to express their love and appreciation to Cassie Chambless for her devotion to and exceptional care of Barbara during the last years of her illness as well as to the staff of Silverado at Onion Creek Memory Care Community and Christopher House (Hospice Austin) for their kindness and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, June 6, 2015 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 11201 Parkfield Drive, Austin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Parkinson's Society.