Elaine SHAW

1930 - 2016

SHAW, Elaine Mary Elaine (Smith) Shaw, 86, of Sandy Springs, died peacefully on December 16, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Born on September 11, 1930, in Etowah, TN. Elaine moved with her parents, Luther and Mary Bell (Elrod) Smith and her sister, June, to Woodstock, GA, then to Atlanta at the age of 4. She was raised in the Riverside Community and attended Chattahoochee Elementary and West Fulton High School, voted "Most Beautiful" by her class of 1947. A genuine beauty, Elaine was a professional model, having attended the Academy of Fashion Modeling and was a member of the Atlanta Models' Guild. After graduation, she began working with the firm of Jack Rushin-Brooks Pearson, Manufacturers' Agents. On Christmas Day 1950, she married the love of her life, Robert J. "Bob" Shaw. Bob was serving with the 116th Fighter Bomber Wing of the U. S. Air Force and was stationed in Victorville, CA. Elaine joined him there and was employed as the Secretary to Col. Roy LeCraw, former Mayor of Atlanta, who was Executive Officer of that wing from Dobbins Air Base. When her husband was transferred to the Far East, she returned to Atlanta and began working at Georgia Tech, where she was Secretary to the Director of the Engineering Experiment Station. In 1952, she was named "Mrs. Gawga Tech". She suspended her career in order to raise their four daughters. From 1970-75, she worked during the legislative session as Secretary to the Senate Minority Office. In 1975 she returned to full time work at Georgia Tech, from which she retired in 1991, when she was Secretary to the President. Elaine was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Chattahoochee, where she attended since the age of 4 and was baptized at the age of 12. She was a former choir member, Sunday School Teacher and W.M.U. President. Her greatest loves were her family and her church. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2017, at 2:00 PM, at The First Baptist Church of Chattahoochee, 1950 Bolton Road, N. W., Atlanta, GA 30318. Donations to the Elaine Shaw Fund may be made to the church. Rev. Bernard Weaver, Rev. John Darnell and Rev. Mike Woods officiating. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Robert J. Shaw, her four daughters, Elena Fash, Melanie (Daniel) Shilts, Susan (Keith) Felderman, Bobbie Ann (Tom) Bourne, 11 grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters. Her body was cremated. Her remains are with the family. Final arrangements made by Carmichael Funeral Home, Smyrna, Georgia.