A Beautiful Godly Woman....My Mama

Zoie Wilson Shaw
(October 3, 1938 - November 25, 2010)

The name ZOE has it's origin in the Greek language.

The word zoe is used 134 times in the New Testament to indicate eternal life.

My grandparents named their firstborn daughter very well, for she truly lived well and fought to live life as long as she could against the great beast called Cancer.


In the wee hours of Thanksgiving Thursday morning, sometime between midnight and 4:15 when my dad checked on her once again...my mom left this earth and went home. She is in Heaven, of this I have no doubts, that she IS there, and that there IS a Heaven. She died at home and not in a hospital as were her wishes. My dad was an honorable and faithful and committed caregiver to her to the very end. It was my privilege to help him in her last weeks. Caring for someone that you love ....who is dying, and doing it in the home, not the hospital, is a stretching and hard experience. But knowing that mama was as comfortable as she could be and so glad to be in her own familiar home and room and not having different aides and medical help in and out everyday made all of the longsuffering that caregivers must go through...worthwhile. Hospice was an additional help to my dad as my mom went downhill. They are a treasure of an organization.

On Wednesday, I kissed my mom goodbye before I left as I did every visit....leaned down and told her in her ear that I LOVED HER, and though she was heavily medicated, she could STILL hear, and made noises from her mouth to let me know she was saying "I love you, too!". I did not see mama again. My dad called me at 5:30 on Thanksgiving morning to tell me mama was in heaven with her mama and daddy. I went straight over to be with him before Hospice got there. Mama's earthsuit was there on the bed...but not mama. It was so strikingly obvious that her soul and spirit were absent. I will never forget it.

We shall lay her body to rest tomorrow and celebrate the homecoming of her soul to Heaven to see her Savior and Lord. I am so thankful that Kurt was here for Thanksgiving and was able to switch his departure time to a later date. I am grateful that Justin is back in the States. He and his two brothers will be pallbearers along with other family.

Thank you all for your prayers through these past hard weeks for my family. We are all so grateful and feel privileged to have you lift us up before the Lord. You are all special sisters.

I will truly miss my mom, and I KNOW my dad already is, so much, but I am so so so so thankful that she is not suffering any more. It was too hard to bear for much longer.
She is healed, finally, after a long 15 year battle with cancer. What a trooper. She is my role model to always be positive, look for the silver lining every day, to trust in the Lord and Obey Him only, to love your hubby with all your might, and always wear lipstick and you'll look just fine!

Love you Mom. I will miss that you are just one block away anymore. We shall all see you soon. (A blink of an eye for you!) I know that God said, "Welcome Home, thou good and faithful daughter. Enter into this kingdom where you are a Princess and receive your eternal rewards and joy."

Here is the obituary that my dad composed for my mom the night after she passed.

Mrs. Zoie Wilson Shaw, 72, of Charlotte, NC died at her home and entered the joy of her heavenly Father and her Savior Jesus Christ on November 25, 2010. She received the aid of Hospice in the last few months of her long and courageous battle with cancer. Zoie was born October 3, 1938 in Charlotte to Samuel Moore Wilson and Frances Christenbury Wilson. She graduated from North Mecklenburg High School where she was known for her Christian faith and witness. She received numerous honors in 4-H and won awards for her abilities in sewing and service. She attended Columbia Bible College and after her marriage worked at the Presbyterian Board of Women’s Work in Atlanta GA. As a pastor’s wife she served her church as a SS teacher and youth leader. Her musical ability was used in organ and piano ministry. Her radiant smile and personality enriched the lives of all who knew her. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Rev. Richard P. Shaw, her daughter Deborah Applegate (husband David) and their children, Christopher and Catherine and daughter Julie Smith (husband Kurt) and their children Katherine, Justin, Jonny and Kameron. She is also survived by her son Richard Shaw, Jr. Also surviving are her sister Linda Smith and brother Samuel Wilson, Jr. A service to celebrate her life will be held Monday, November 29 at 2:00 pm at Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 10500 Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville, NC 28078 following a private burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service of celebration which will be conducted by Rev. Walt DeHart and Dr. Nathan Frazier. Heartfelt gratitude is expressed to Dr James Boyd and the chemo nurses of Oncology Specialist and to Hospice of Charlotte. Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Community Church, 5850 W Hwy 74 # 100 Union Town Center, Indian Trail, NC 28079 or to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.