LaEdra Paulette Shaw-Box

It is with a mixture of joy and sadness that we announce the passing of LaEdra Paulette Shaw-Box, 75, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  LaEdra left her broken, earthly body November 10, 2023.  She loved the Lord and will be remembered for her kindness.  LaEdra had a joy for life and a zest for laughter.

The memorial service to celebrate LaEdra’s life will be held 2:00 pm Sunday November 19, 2023 at First Baptist Church Garrison, Texas.  Interment will follow at Caledonia Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Garrison Funeral Home.  Friends and family are invited to join together to remember and celebrate LaEdra’s life. 

Born October 3, 1948 in Sugar Land, Texas to Harold Engle and Genelda Jo Engle-McAnally.  LaEdra learned the value of family and hard work as she was the fourth of five siblings that grew up on a dairy farm in New Waverly, Texas.  Survived by sister Linda Jones, Houston TX, brother Mike Engle and wife Annette of Central Heights, TX, sister Janice Spinks of Crockett, TX, brother Allen Engle & wife Cindy of Crockett, TX.  Preceded in death by her father Harold Engle and mother Genelda Jo Engle-McAnally,  brother-in-laws Randall Jones and Bernell Spinks. 

LaEdra met her husband while she was in high school and he attended Sam Houston State University.  She married Jerald David Shaw June 22, 1968.  Jerald joined his new father-n-law, Harold on the dairy and soon thereafter LaEdra gave birth to their first son Leslie Darrell Shaw.  Jerald and LaEdra moved to Appleby in 1973 to explore a new partnership in the dairy business.  They welcomed their second son Jerry Dalton Shaw to the family.   Their third son, William Layfette Shaw joined the family four years later. Fourth son, Kevin Wade Shaw followed soon thereafter.  Jerald and LaEdra made one final move to Garrison in 1980 as they started their own dairy farm, Shaw Farms. 

Jerald and LaEdra were heavily involved in their church home of First Baptist Church Garrison.  Jerald served as a deacon while LaEdra taught children’s Sunday School for years.

In 1988 LaEdra encountered a parent’s worst fear as she was preceded in death by her oldest son, Les, age 17, to a battle with cancer. 

During the years that followed the family could be found working together, at church, or at some ball field.  Jerald and LaEdra were their son’s biggest fans and loved being around them.  The dinner table was a special place in the Shaw home.  LaEdra was an excellent cook and her pies were her specialty.  She even spent some time selling pies at Butcher Boys in Nacogdoches.   LaEdra was an elaborate storyteller as noted in a piece written years ago to reflect on things we take for granted.  She ends the article with a glimpse into how she lived her life.  LaEdra’s written testimony is filled with examples of God’s faithfulness through life’s toughest moments. LaEdra wrote, “God infused me with inner peace knowing Les was in His hands, and I could let Les go, KNOWING that I would be with him one day in eternity.”    tinyurl.com/LaEdraTestimony 

LaEdra continued to value hard work throughout her life.  She spent several years working at Avian Farms in Timpson.   She went to phlebotomy school later in life and started her final career at Dr. Coffman’s office in Nacogdoches.  LaEdra met no stranger along the way as she was energetic and always looking for an opportunity to crack a joke.  She was a dedicated worker and trusted friend.

Father’s Day 2001, LaEdra was unexpectedly preceded in death by her loving husband of 33 years Jerald David Shaw.  Through the pain, LaEdra was able to see God, as she wrote, “Immediately after losing Jerald, I saw how the Lord had been preparing me for this without even realizing what He was doing”. 

LaEdra continued to work and began to welcome numerous grandkids into her life.  She married Billy Ray Box August 26, 2006.  Soon after, she retired.  LaEdra welcomed this new phase of life, still being loving to those around her as she showed by spending much of her time caring for Billy Ray’s mom until her passing in 2016. 

LaEdra remained close to her siblings and enjoyed every opportunity to get together.   If you didn’t find her at home, she was likely with her sister-n-law Annette who was a special friend.  LaEdra remained active and healthy her whole life until a downward spiral brought on by Alzheimer’s took root within her body.   Billy Ray and Annette were vital in her latter years, caring for LaEdra as she had so often done for others. 

LaEdra was preceded in death by Billy Ray Box, August 26, 2023.

As LaEdra had been fading to become non-verbal due to a deteriorating body, she could be caught humming “Blessed Assurance” or many other tunes that brought her comfort.  Her quick wit and laughter will be missed, but the family finds assurance in the way she lived her life.  A dedicated mom, a loving sister, a devoted wife, and a legacy of faithfulness that will be passed on for generations to come. 

LaEdra is survived by son Jerry Shaw & wife Rebecca of Garrison, TX, children Jasper, Jaxon, Railey, Jagger, and Cooper.  Son Will Shaw & wife Krissy of Bullard, TX, children Kale, Kameron, Lily, and Lila.  Son Kevin Shaw & wife Amy of Commerce, TX, children, Alex Cruz & husband Jordan, Lacey Brattlof & husband John-Michael, Skyler Watts, & husband Jackson, Camdyn Shaw, Samuel Gossett, Betty Gossett, Cadye Shaw, Cayson Shaw.  Two great-grandchildren Jane Watts and Lana Brattlof.  Numerous nieces and nephews and other loving family members. 

Do not call to mind the former things or ponder on things past.  But press forward to the things to come and know there is a brighter day coming.   Isaiah 43:18

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Caledonia Cemetery Fund P.O. Box 535 Garrison, Tx 75946.

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