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Emma Shaw Celebration, 95-years Young |
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Wednesday, 15 August 2007 |
SAN BERNARDINO
On August 10th - 12th, 2007, the Shaw family descended on San Bernardino for a
birthday celebration. They celebrated the 95th birthday of the Matriarch of the
Shaw Family, Emma Shaw. On Friday
evening, the Shaw family and friends gathered at the home of Rikke Van Johnson,
her oldest living grandchild, for a family get re-acquainted evening. On Saturday, the Shaw family and friends came
together for an all-day birthday celebration at the same location. On Sunday morning, the Shaw family gathered
at Greater New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ for a good ol' fashioned
church service. A certificate to Emma
was presented by State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod.
Emma was born to James Armstrong and Gertrude Bohanon August
10, 1912 in Tallulah, Louisiana
where she grew up and attended Madison
Parish Training
School.
While in school she met her future husband, George Shaw.
Emma married George February 6, 1933, and to this union God
blessed them with six sons and five daughters.
They lived in Tallulah until 1942 and then migrated to Las Vegas, NV,
looking for a better life for their family.
In 1944, the family picked up once again and moved to San Bernardino.
George worked in construction until he retired. He was also the only Black barber in San Bernardino for many
years. This trade was passed on to his
children and his grandchildren. Emma
worked as a housekeeper to help make ends meet.
It was hard times in those days and the parents struggled to keep their
family together. Even though their
resources were limited, that did not prevent Emma from sharing with those who
were even less fortunate. Whenever
anyone stopped by, Emma always seemed to have food to share and give to them.
Emma has always belonged to a church and made sure that her
children went every Sunday. She joined New Hope Missionary Baptist
Church, which was then
under the leadership of the renowned Reverend David Campbell. While in service there, she became
affectionately known as Mother Shaw.
After the passing of Reverend Campbell, Mother Shaw changed
her membership to Greater New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, which is under
the leadership of Elder Herbert C. Pugh.
Mother Shaw always sees some good in everyone, no matter who
they are. She always has a smile and
good advice for anyone who would partake of her wisdom. Her favorite sayings are: ‘I'm telling you
now, you need to get right with God and live a saved life, because time is
winding up and soon, cause this world is coming to an end,' or ‘It's an
individual affair, everyone must seek Jesus for himself.'
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