James Wesley Shaw, Sr.

April 11, 1937 - November 16, 2020

Winston Salem - Mr. James Wesley "Jim" Shaw, Sr., 83, passed away peacefully Monday, November 16, 2020, after a brief stay at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, Winston Salem, NC. He was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina to the late Jesse James Shaw Sr. and Lovie McClintock Shaw. He attended Spartanburg County Public Schools.

In early adulthood, he made Winston Salem his home. He was employed with R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company for ten years. Then he became owner and operator of Jim Shaw Gulf Oil Service. Later he sold Gulf Oil and became the first Minority to own a B. F. Goodrich franchise in the southeastern United States. Soon after retiring and closing B. F. Goodrich, he opened JAC's One Stop Shop Convenience Store, and ran a successful operation until his final retirement in 1998.

Mr. Shaw had a servant's heart. He never met a stranger, and you knew when he was in the room. He had a great sense of humor and throughout his lifetime, brought joy and laughter to any gathering.

He always made time to give back to his community, as he was a long-time civic and political leader.

For several years, he and his wife prepared and served a monthly breakfast for the senior residents of Azalea Terrace Apartments. He has served as Chairman of the Board for the Better Business Bureau of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, Vice Chairman of the Airport Commission of Forsyth County, President and Chairman of Liberty Community Development Corporation (which was formed to revitalize the Liberty Street corridor). In 2011, he founded Jim Shaw's ACE Academy (a camp that teaches youth about career opportunities in aviation and aeronautics). Politically, he has served as First Vice President and Chairman of the NAACP Freedom Fund Committee of Forsyth County for several years. In 2013, he was named President of Forsyth County Senior Democrats. He served on executive committees appointed by Mayor Allen Joines, and he was the 2020 co-chair for the mayor's re-election campaign.

Over the years, Mr. Shaw has received countless honors and awards including being named Man of the Year several times. In 2007, the City of Winston-Salem honored him by re-naming an area in the Liberty Street Corridor, Jim Shaw Boulevard.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five older siblings. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Clementine Battle Shaw of the home; his children, James (Sheila) Shaw, Jr., Buford, GA, Angela (Edward) Anderson, Suwanee, GA, Herlane (Tyrone) Edwards, Simpsonville, SC, and Bo (Marilyn) Gilliam, Yadkinville, NC; a godson, Aldeen (Paulette) Smith, Winston Salem, NC; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; a sister, Doris Lee Shaw Glenn, Winston Salem, NC; a brother, George (Ann) Shaw, Detroit, MI; an aunt, Beatrice Shaw Suber, Greer, SC; a brother-in-law, Claude Battle, Whitaker, NC; a sister-in-law, Linda Battle, Whitaker, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many loving neighbors and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial gifts to Jim Shaw's ACE Academy, 163 Stratford Road, Winston Salem, NC 27103.

Mr. Shaw will be available for public viewing from 12:00-5:00pm on Friday, November 20, 2020 at Russell Funeral Home.

A private graveside service will be held Saturday, November 21, 2020, at Evergreen Cemetery, 2124 New Walkertown Road, Winston Salem, NC 27101.

A Celebration of the life of Mr. James Wesley "Jim" Shaw, Sr., is planned for Spring 2021. It will be open to the public providing there are no Covid restrictions that would bar such an event.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Mr. Shaw's at-home caretakers, and to the Staff at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home.