Robert Jennings Shaw

Robert Jennings "Bob" Shaw, 94, of Sandy Springs, died peacefully in his Sandy Springs home on February 27, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, March 22, at the First Baptist Church Chattahoochee. Rev. Mike Woods will officiate the service.

Born on August 21, 1929, in Bronwood, GA, he was the first of four children born to R.E. and Vesta (Jennings) Shaw. In 1934, his family moved to Marietta, where he graduated from Marietta High School, having played varsity baseball and football, and earned the nickname "Cowboy." He attended and played baseball at Georgia Tech and later graduated from the University of Georgia Atlanta campus.

Bob had been singing publicly since childhood and in 1948, he became the lead singer and emcee of one of the most popular Southern gospel groups in the nation, The Homeland Harmony Quartet. He would later help organize the Revelaires quartet, join The Harmoneers and The Sunshine Boys quartets, and was hired as the Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Chattahoochee, where he led the music for 58 years. He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2002 and 2005.

In 1948, Bob joined The Air National Guard at Dobbins Air Base and was called into active duty with the 116th Fighter Bomber Wing of Air Force in 1950, stationed in Victorville, CA, and later Misawa, Japan. Earlier that year, he had met the love of his life, a beautiful Atlanta model, Elaine Smith. They married on Christmas Day of 1950.

Recruited into politics in 1960, Bob became a three-term Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party and Vice Chairman of the Republican National Committee. His vision and determination helped establish a two-party system in Georgia, and his lifelong dedication to the Republican Party and charismatic personality earned him the title of "Godfather of the Georgia Republican Party."

A successful, self-employed Small Business Consultant, Mr. Shaw was appointed to the Fulton County Development Authority, where he would serve as chairman for nearly 20 years, helping revitalize and transform the business community in the city of Atlanta and Fulton County.

He is preceded in death by his wife Mary Elaine Shaw, daughter Melanie Shilts, and sisters Jerry Tucker and Margie Hardin. He is survived by his daughters Elena Shaw Fash, Susan Shaw Felderman (Keith), and Bobbie Ann Bourne (Tom), sister Carol Ann Shaw, and 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Bob and Elaine Shaw. The family will receive friends at 10am prior to the service at the church, 1950 Bolton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318. Carmichael Funeral Home in Smyrna is in charge of arrangements. www.CarmichaelCares.com, 770-435-4467