Mary Louise Hale Shaw

Published 4:00 am Tuesday, March 29, 2016

    Mary Louise Hale Shaw, 91, born on May 20, 1924, in Kossuth, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2016.

    For many years, Mrs. Shaw taught private piano lessons in her home, and served as choir director and financial secretary for First Christian Church. She sang Hebrew for years as soprano at the Congregation Beth Israel. In her later years, she was an active member of Central United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed serving as Sunday School accompanist and singing in the choir. She volunteered her time tutoring with the literacy program through Meridian Community College and delivering meals through the Meals on Wheels program. She was particularly proud of hours she spent in the gym and eventually was awarded a medal in the Senior Olympics in weight lifting. The joy was in watching the eyes of the big burly bodybuilders as she scooted past them on her walker then proceeded to bench press double her weight. 

    She is survived by her four children, Robert Shaw Jr. of Meridian, Sidney Covington (Jimmy) of Meridian, Beth Cole of Byram and Joyce Scott (David) of Maumelle, Ark.; sisters, Edith August (Richard) and Peggy Hale of Marietta, Ga.; brother, Ed Hale (Billie) of Savannah, Ga.; grandchildren, Ricky Covington, Lisa Covington, Carrie Turbyfill, Kathryn Kimball, Michael Cole and Jon Cole; four nephews; three nieces; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

    She was preceded in death by her mother, Lida Mae Doggett; father, Ernest Marvin Hale; husband of 40 years, Robert Shaw Sr; and brother, Bill Hale. 

    Mrs. Shaw is an anatomical donor to the University Medical Center in Jackson. A private family memorial service will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Magnolia Speech School for the Deaf, 733 N Flag Chapel Rd, Jackson, MS  39209 or a charity of your choice.