Walter Lawson Shaw

Walter Lawson Shaw, 85, passed away peacefully in the loving hands of Haven Hospice on July 6, 2026, in Gainesville, FL. A memorial service will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church in Melrose, FL, on August 7, 2026, at 11:00 am with Ruth Ragovin officiating.

Lawson was born in Birmingham, AL, to Elbert Turner Shaw and Annie Blanche Hagood on August 13, 1940. He attended Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, AL. He went on to study at Jacksonville State College and received a Bachelor of Science in Business with a minor in Economics. He continued his education further through Faulkner State Jr. College for Electronic Data Processing, University of Richmond for Auditing School and Graduate School of Banking of the South. During this time he met a young woman named Sharon at church, and they married on June 13, 1964, and had two children.

Lawson worked for several banks during his life including Baldwin County Bank, Furst National Bank of Auburn, Central Bank of the South and Merchants & Southern Bank holding the positions of Vice President & Cashier. He ended his career in banking as the Manager of Clay Electric Employees Credit Union. This last position will always hold a special place in his heart.

His hobbies included golfing, fishing, and watching sports, especially if it had anything to do with Alabama. He considered himself Alabama's #1 Top Fan. Roll Tide! He was an active member of his church until the day he passed, serving as President, a Ruling Elder and a member of the LOGOS Youth Program.

He was a dedicated member of the Kiwanis Club for over 50 years, most of those years being with The Lake Region Keystone Heights-Melrose club, where he served as Director and Interclub Chair. He worked with friends at Forest Meadows Funeral Home as he had a love for comforting others and being of service to families during the most difficult times in life.

Lawson is preceded in death by his father, Elbert Shaw, his mother, Annie Hagood Shaw, his stepmother, AdaLouise Shaw, his brother, Henry Blankenship, and his loving wife of 60 years, Sharon Shaw. He is survived by two brothers, Elbert Shaw (Cheryl) and Harry Shaw (Debra), his son, Turner Shaw, his daughter, Karen Knudson (Michael), six grandchildren, Hunter Shaw, Kaitie Arters, Todd Peacock, Taylor Shaw, Makenzie Knudson and Miranda Knudson, and three great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, 2738 State Road 21, Melrose, FL, 32666. Memorial Service to be held at Faith Presbyterian Church, 2738 State Road 21, Melrose, FL, on August 7, 2026, at 11:00 am.