Obituary of Joe Edward Shaw Jr.

Joe Edward Shaw, Jr., 93, beloved husband of Mary DuBose Shaw passed away surrounded by loving family on October 23, 2015. Joe was born January 16, 1922, in Easley, SC, to Joseph Edward Shaw and Kathryn Elizabeth Sutton Shaw. He was 9 years old when his father died, leaving his mother and 4 young children to survive the depression. He worked in the Clinton cotton mill at an early age with his mother to help support the family. He played baseball and football for the Clinton High Red Devils and helped win the school its first state title in 1939. He met his future wife, Mary, while attending the University of South Carolina. He had no money and no car but walked her to class and carried her books. He played offensive running back, defensive back, punted, and kicked extra points for the USC football team. The yearbook showed JE Shaw “cakewalking” 93 yards to a touchdown after intercepting a University of North Carolina pass. He also played varsity shortstop on Carolina's baseball team. He was a Naval ROTC cadet and a member of their crack drill team. During his Junior year he was called to serve his country and was assigned as an officer on a destroyer minesweeper, the USS Palmer. While staging at Manus Island for the Philippine invasion, he could only watch as the USS Mt. Hood, an ammunition ship blew-up killing 700 men. Several weeks later, the Palmer was sweeping mines under fire in Lingayen Gulf. At sunset, a twin engine Japanese bomber came in low on the water directly in front of the sun. Two massive bombs destroyed the ship which sank in 6 minutes. He survived and was placed on the USS Colorado which was hit by friendly fire the next day killing 19 more men. After returning to the States, Joe married Mary Elizabeth DuBose of Florence, SC, and raised a family of 3 children: Pamela, Joe, and Cecelia. After 10 years of service in the Navy, Joe enrolled at Clemson University in Chemical Engineering. Starting in a class of 30, he graduated with honors in the remaining group of five. Joe had a successful career at International Paper Company in Georgetown. He was certainly a member of the greatest generation. Blind for the last 15 years of his life, he never complained. He lived a joy filled life surrounded by his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. He loved his church, The Abbey of Pawleys Island and being with his friends at the YMCA. If adversity makes the man, he proved it true. Love for his savior Jesus Christ, wife, family, friends, and country was unsurpassed. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary DuBose Shaw; children, Pamela Shaw Dunn (Levon), Joseph Lawton Shaw (Marianne), and Cecelia T. Shaw; grandchildren, Mary (Mike) Peck, Katy (Dan) Weaver, Hunter (Danielle) Cuthbertson, Jennifer (Ted) Midthun, Joseph (Kara)Shaw, Burton Powell, Lawton Powell, and Anne Brookes Powell and nine greatgrandchildren. A memorial service will be held at The Abbey, 46 Gathering Lane, Pawleys Island, SC on Monday, October 26th at 11:00 AM. Visitation following the service. Burial will be at a later date at the Florence National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Tidelands Community Hospice, 2591 N. Fraser St., Georgetown, SC 29440. Online condolences by be sent to the family at www.grahamfuneralhome.org. Arrangements by Graham Funeral Home (843) 527-4419.