Iola

Shaw

Obituary

Iola Shaw

April 27th, 1945 - December 24th, 2016

I ola Williams Shaw was born as the fifth child of eight children to the late Deacon Alton Williams, Sr. and the late Deaconess Sarah Mitchell Williams of Rich Square, North Carolina. She departed this life on December 24, 2016 at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey.

She lived in Teaneck, New Jersey for a number of years. After Iola retired she moved to Whiting, New Jersey. Last year, Iola decided to move back to Bergen County and was residing in Hackensack, New Jersey.

In 1961, at the age of sixteen, Iola completed high school at W.S. Creecy High School in Rich Square, North Carolina. She entered North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina in 1964. In 1968, she received bachelor's degrees in both Social Studies and Library Science. While teaching elementary school in North Carolina, she earned her Early Childhood Teaching Certificate from Pembroke State University in Pembroke, North Carolina. After college Iola taught in several different areas including: Fairmont, North Carolina; Marietta, Georgia; and Burlington, North Carolina. In May 2000, she received her Master's degree in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College Distance Learning Graduate Program (Detroit, MI) while teaching first grade at Quarles School in Englewood, New Jersey. During her studies at Marygrove College, Iola received straight As. Additionally, Iola and her teaching peers received recognition for their innovative idea called "Project Kindness" from Governor Jon S. Corzine of New Jersey.

She taught for thirteen years in the Englewood Public School system and retired in 2005.

Iola met her husband, Ronald Shaw of Fairmont, North Carolina, in college and they were married on September 5, 1969. She is adored and treasured in the hearts of many in that town. Iola was also honored to be the godmother to one of her nieces, Felicia Robinson.

Iola loved to travel, and did so extensively. Her voyages took her on many tours and cruises throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America, Europe, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

As a child, Iola was a member of Branches Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Rich Square, North Carolina. She sang in the junior choir, was a junior usher and participated in many church programs and activities. Iola joined First Baptist Church of Englewood in 1988. There she taught Sunday School, sang on the choir, was a member of the Baptist Women's League, was inducted into "The Berean Society" and on April 2009 she received "The Dorcas Award" for devoted service to her church. Iola joined Community Baptist Church in February of this year.

The life and legacy of Iola will remain treasured in the hearts of her beloved siblings Leora (Lymas) Robinson, Alton (Bahi) Williams, Jr., Peggy (Kenneth) Reed, all of Teaneck, New Jersey; Agnes Arnold, Whiting, New Jersey, Evonne Burgess, Hackensack, New Jersey and Ennis Williams of Montclair, New Jersey; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who all love her dearly and will miss her immensely.

Her parents and one sister, Gloria Gaskin, preceded her in death.