WILMINGTON – Mary Bradshaw “Babs” Cargill Shaw, 87, of Wilmington, died Aug. 19, 2016, in Waxhaw, North Carolina. Born April 2, 1929, in Lewisville, Arkansas, she was the eldest daughter of the late Edmund and Bess Cargill. Babs attended Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, Missouri, then transferred to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she was an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and received her Bachelor’s Degree.
On March 2, 1952, she married William McDermott Shaw of Hope, Arkansas. Together, they moved throughout the South with the DuPont Chemical Company, finally settling in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1967. They raised three children, all the while serving as volunteer leaders and vital participants of the Wilmington Community. They were married for 62 years until Mr. Shaw’s death on Nov. 20, 2014.
She was a wonderful homemaker and mother. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren affectionately referred to her as “Memommie.” She also made time for involvement in a variety of civic opportunities. Her interests and activities included her support and leadership in her PEO Sisterhood chapter, the Cape Fear Garden Club, and the New Hanover County Arboretum, playing bridge, gardening, reading and baking.
Her real passion outside the home was her deep dedication to Grace United Methodist Church, where she served as chairwoman of the trustees, started an Interfaith kindergarten, designed the layout of the new kitchen and received awards from the United Methodist Women and the trustees for her outstanding contributions.
Mrs. Shaw is survived by three children: her two daughters, Susan Shaw Fogartie of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Mary Gail Shaw Stanaland, of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as well as her son and his wife, Stephen and Caran Shaw of Waxhaw, North Carolina.
She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Stuart Fogartie and his wife, Jackie; Drew Heid and her husband, Michael; Nathanael Shaw and his wife, Kate; Meredith Wiggins and her husband, Joel; Jonathan Shaw and his fiancée, Brittney Cox; Adam Stanaland; and Matthew Stanaland. She is survived by five great-grandchildren: Brooke, Claire, and Parker Heid; and Bryce and Lydia Wiggins. She was predeceased by her sister, Gail Cargill Cross Freeman, and her brother, James Edmund Cargill.
The memorial service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, conducted by Rev. Patricia DiGiuseppe. A reception with the family will follow the service in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Grace United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.