Ruth Shaw, 93, of Dowagiac, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at River Ridge Manor in Niles.

(Ruth) Ellen’s life began on Feb. 5, 1916, in McCrory, Ark., the daughter of Martin Luther and Maggie Jim (Anderson) Davis.

She was united in marriage to Lyndell Shaw on May 12, 1933, in McCrory.
Ellen was a charter member of Dowagiac Missionary Baptist Church.

Ellen owned and operated Shaw’s Café on Division Street in downtown Dowagiac for more than 16 years.

She was the loving mother of four children, Bill (Robbie) Shaw of Bear Creek, Ala., Jim (Judy) Shaw of Dowagiac, Larry Shaw of Dowagiac and Betty (John) Hebert of Houston, Texas.

She is also survived by: eight grandchildren, Jennifer and Walter Hebert, Karen Robbins, Cathy Prince, Kelly Tillman, Cyndi Schultz, Leslie Burkett and Julie Sweet; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Eloise Ford-Gaugh of Sommerville, Tenn.

Ellen passed away on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at Riveridge Manor in Niles.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Lyndell Shaw; her parents, Luther and Jim Davis; her sister, Odelle Crews; and her brothers, Mack Davis, Leslie Davis and Terral Davis.

Her family will gather with friends on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yazel and Clark Chapel, where her funeral services will be on Tuesday at 11a.m. led by Pastor Orliss Terry.

She will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Dowagiac Missionary Baptist Church.

Sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Ellen at www.yazel-clark.com.