Ed was born June 25, 1927, in Kannapolis to the late William Edward Shinn and Mary Inez Cauthen Shinn. He graduated from Cannon High School, Class of 1944, and the University of Tampa in 1951, with a B.S. degree in business administration.
His college education was interrupted when he was drafted in 1948, and went into the Navy, where he served 11 months. During the Korean War, Ed was part of a Navy Reserve unit, and was called to active duty. He served aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Franklin Roosevelt, in the Mediterranean.
Ed worked in accounts payable at Cannon Mills, and went on to a career in banking with the Scottish Bank and First Union in China Grove. He retired in 1991 as office manager of R. Wayne Bost Trucking Co.
In 1961, he met Cora Ray Beam, whom he married May 16, 1964. He often said it was the best decision he ever made. Their daughter, Susan Shinn Turner, was born Aug. 12, 1966, and their grandson, Andrew David Poe, was born July 11, 1996. A quiet, calm and supportive presence to his family, he was deeply loved and treasured.
A lifelong Lutheran, Ed enjoyed singing in the choir in several congregations for 60 years, and was treasurer of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, China Grove, for 32 years, also serving on the church council.
In 2009, the Shinns joined St. John’s Lutheran Church, where Ed attended regularly, continuing his keen interest in the music program. In 2017, Rob Durocher, deacon and minister of music and the arts, and Kevin Agner, cellist, presented a recital in Ed’s honor on the occasion of his 90th birthday. On Sundays, Ed never left the sanctuary until Rob played the final note of the postlude. He was Rob’s biggest fan.
On Jan. 5, 2021, Ed and Cora moved to Raleigh to be near their daughter, grandson, and son-in-law, James Baxter Turner III. On May 24, 2021, Ed became a client of Transitions Hospice & Palliative Care, because he wanted to proactively manage his breathing issues after being hospitalized with pneumonia. He also wanted services that would care for his family. His final wish was that other families in his situation will take advantage of this wonderful organization as soon as they qualify.
A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144. The Rev. Dr. Rhodes Woolly will officiate. The family will greet friends afterward in Peeler Hall.
Memorials: Music Ministry, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144 or Television Ministry, Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27608.
As Ed was often fond of saying, “It was a good run.”
Services provided by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC; www.brownwynneraleigh.com
DONATIONS
Music Ministry, St. John’s Lutheran Church 200 W. Innes St., Salisbury, North Carolina 28144
Television Ministry, Hayes Barton Baptist Church1800 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, North Carolina 27608
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