February 19, 2014

Reverend Arthur Hugo Shaw, Jr. passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord God Almighty on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at his home surrounded by his wife and daughters.

He was born in Poplarville, Miss., on July 5, 1947, to Hugo and Mary Frances Shaw, who preceded him in death.  He was a brother to Sheila Shaw Cruthird of Wiggins, Miss., and Angela Shaw, who preceded him in death at four months of age.

Bro. Arthur surrendered to the call of His Lord to the ministry at the age of sixteen. He faithfully pastored and preached God’s Word for fifty years. He cared deeply for each person he came in contact with, desiring that everyone come to the knowledge of God’s saving grace. He was pastor at Evergreen Baptist Church, Seminary, Miss.; Emmanuel Baptist Church, Prentiss, Miss.; First Baptist Church of Henleyfield, Carriere, Miss.; Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Columbia, Miss.; Corinth Baptist Church, Lucedale, Miss.; and Silver Run Baptist Church, Poplarville, Miss.  He completed his ministry by serving as interim pastor at College Heights Baptist Church in Poplarville.

Bro. Arthur was a dedicated husband to and survived by the love of his life, Lela Elaine Williamson Shaw.  She was an irreplaceable asset to his ministry, serving faithfully at his side.

He was a loving father to Laura Shaw Farmer of Picayune, Miss., and Crystal Shaw Swilley of Purvis, Miss.  He was so proud of his two son-in-laws, Nathan Stacy Farmer and William “Bill” Swilley, Jr.  He thanked God daily that his daughters were provided strong men of God. The joy of his later years was found in his three grandchildren: Abby, Katie, and Jacob Farmer.

Bro. Shaw enjoyed hunting and fishing. He got immense joy out of the fellowship he experienced in planting his deer plots and hunting with his friends and family. He will also be remembered for his love of gardening. He always shared his produce with the entire community.

He is survived by numerous cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.  He will be missed more than words can express, but we will all remember him quoting, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

In lieu of flowers donation may be made to: Beams Ministry, 15444 Duckworth Road, Gulfport, MS 39503.

Services were held 10 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Silver Run Baptist Church with burial to follow in Hester Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5-9 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2014 at Silver Run Baptist Church:  2865 Silver Run Road, Poplarville, MS 39470.  Moore Funeral Home in Wiggins was in charge of the arrangements.

You may sign the guest book at http://www.moorefuneralservices.com/