Martha Shaw

Obituary

Martha Shaw, a beloved member of the community, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 05, 2023, at the age of 82, at Regency Heritage Rehabilitation Center in Somerset, New Jersey. Born on March 20, 1941, in Boston, Georgia, Martha was the daughter of the late Samuel J. and Willie Lee (Brown) Raines. Raised in the town of Thomasville, GA, Martha embarked on her educational journey at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, AL, where she earned her bachelor's degree in English. Following her academic pursuits, she made North Brunswick, NJ, her home, and community. Martha's unwavering faith led her to become a long-time and faithful parishioner of St. Matthias Church in Somerset, where she served as a dedicated lector for many years. With an altruistic spirit, she devoted over two years to teaching in the Peace Corps in Monrovia, Africa, and distinguished herself as a second lieutenant in the Army with honor. Martha was an avid reader and a passionate traveler. Her love for literature and exploration enriched her life and left a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to share in her experiences. Martha was preceded in death by her sister, Gwendolyn Atkins, and her brother Joseph L. Barnes. She is survived by her sisters, Vivian Shaw, and Louise Bassa, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during the visitation at the Gleason Funeral Home on Thursday, November 16th from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. A prayer service will follow at 7:30 P.M. Ms. Shaw's final resting place will be at Lassac CME Cemetery in Boston, GA.