John D. Shaw

Johnny Douglas “John D.” Shaw, 82, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Visitation will be Monday, March 28, 2016, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Nowell Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi, and on Tuesday at the church from 10:30 a.m. until service time. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at Bevill Hill United Methodist Church with Rev. Leslie “Bo” Mills and Rev. Mike Childs officiating. Interment will follow in the Bevill Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery.
John D. was born July 29, 1933, to Harmon and Willie Nation Shaw. He was a member of Bevill Hill United Methodist Church. After graduating from Sturgis High School in 1954, he was employed at Mississippi State University in the Agronomy Department conducting research on crimson clover. MSU’s clover research program was recognized internationally as the top authority on crimson clover in the 90’s. Prior to retirement from Mississippi State, John D. was awarded The Doris and Louis Wise Support Staff Award. After retirement, he devoted his time to the farm and his family.

John D. is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marie Williams Shaw of Louisville, Mississippi; his son, Doug Shaw and wife, Emily, of West Point, Mississippi; and one sister, Valeria Hickman of Sturgis, Mississippi. One of his greatest joys was being “Big Daddy” to his two grandchildren, Elliott and AnnHelen Shaw. Also left to mourn his passing is 10 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Pauline Thurmond; and his brothers, Ervin Shaw and William B. “Bill” Shaw.

Serving as pallbearers will be Brad Bradford, Kenny Ingram, Mike Ingram, Tera Ingram, Kyle Jackson, Terry Polk, Elliott Shaw, Jimmy Shaw, and Keith Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Boyd, Johnny Bradford, Henry Edwards, John Elliott, Butch Garner, Dennis Garner, Arnold Gregory, Johnny Heard, Grady Jackson, Ernie Mills, Tommy Morgan, Travis Prisock, Odie Shaw, Doc Taylor, James Vickers, and Doug Wilcox. 

 Memorials may be given to Bevill Hill United Methodist Church, c/o Jeanette Mills, 1747 Betheden Road, Louisville, MS 39339 or to Winston-Choctaw Gideon Camp, P. O. Box 556, Louisville, MS 39339.

Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.