By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
20 Comments
    • Service

      Graveside Service
      Graceland Cemetery, Albion, IL
      2 p.m. Monday March 8,2021

    • Full Obituary

      Carole LaVerne McKinney Shaw, age 81 of Albion, IL passed from this life to the next on March 4, 2021 at the Wabash Christian Village, Carmi, IL.
      Carole was born on June 16, 1939 in Porto Rico, West Virginia to Ruby Louise (Gattrell) and Aldine Ellsworth McKinney. She met Lester Ray Shaw, a young man who had come to West Viriginia from Edwards County, IL during the oil boom and married him on October 9, 1961 in West Union, West Virginia. The couple eventually made their home in Albion. Carole, having never met anyone in Illinois previously, made friends rapidly and “never met a stranger”. Lester died in 1976. She raised two daughters; teaching them about plants, wildlife and animals by taking them on long walks, making it fun, while sparking their interest.
      She sewed their clothing, making it personal to their tastes. She also was a member of the Albion Prairie Quilters Guild. After Lester passed, Carole became the Librarian at the Albion Public Library and was there over 30 years. She enjoyed interacting with her customers and being part of their lives. She learned their personal taste in authors and books. Carole also enjoyed cooking and equated food with love! Watching football and wrestling, both on television and in person was a passion, as well.
      She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, an infant son, Grant Allen Shaw, sister Olive Jeannette (and her husband Ed) Clevenger and brother, Allen Lee McKinney.
      Carole dearly loved each member of her family. She leaves so many fun, warm memories for them to cherish. Survivors include daughters Rhonda Shaw (Steve) Webb and Jennifer Lea Shaw (William Bradley) Wilson, granddaughter Rachel Lynn (James Adams) Webb, sisters: Sharon Kay (Doug Platt) Boyce, Terry Elaine McKinney and April Deniece (Gerald) Hawley, brothers: Stephen Ellis (Joan) McKinney, William Michael (Dolly) McKinney, Richard Gregory McKinney and sister-in-law, Barbara McKinney.
      Graveside service will be held at 2PM on Monday, March 8, 2021 at Graceland Cemetery in Albion.
      Memorials are encouraged to the Albion Public Library and the Edwards County Senior Citizens.
      Online condolences may be left for the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com
      Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home of Albion is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

    Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

    20 Condolences
     
    1. Cookie Collins / March 5, 2021 at 2:22 pm

      Aww, RUP my sweet friend I am so happy that God allowed me to enjoy a small lpiece of your life while you walked this earth. You are truly missed here……

    2. Myrna Mason / March 5, 2021 at 2:23 pm

      Rhonda and Jennifer — I am so sorry to hear this. She was such a kind person. She was so gentle, I would not have guessed she liked wrestling and football. Lol. I used to briefly visit with her when my church (West Village) west to Wabash monthly. Your families have my sympathy.

    3. Karen L. Smith / March 5, 2021 at 3:06 pm

      So very sorry to hear this, condolences to the family !! She and my mother (Gilberta Gillard) were such great friends. Probably talking books right now. Prayers.

    4. Linda D Saxe / March 5, 2021 at 4:32 pm

      Rhonda, Jennifer and family, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother. She was so much fun. I will always remember how intense she got watching wrestling! My deepest sympathy to all the family. Hugs!

    5. Linda Monge / March 5, 2021 at 4:57 pm

      Rhonda and Rachel: I am so saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved mother and grandmother.
      Reading about her was like reading about you two. She was kind and caring, loved animals and nature, and books! Sending love and sympathy to all.
      May God bless you.

    6. Jane and Tony Jones / March 5, 2021 at 6:58 pm

      Jennifer and Rhinda,
      Sorry to hear of your mothers passing. Tony and I always enjoyed taking with her. Always so pleasant and friendly.

    7. Pam Drechsel / March 5, 2021 at 7:22 pm

      Rhonda and Jennifer, I’m so sorry to hear this. I have such good memories of your mom at the library. I always enjoyed talking with her.

    8. Alice Ahlfield / March 5, 2021 at 8:01 pm

      So sorry to hear of your loss! I was always welcomed and well cared for there during high school. Your Mom will be greatly missed she was a true blessing.

    9. April Hawley / March 5, 2021 at 8:02 pm

      Rhonda, Rachel and Jenny
      We all know how special your mom, grandmother and our sister was.She will always be loved and cherished.There was no one else like her.God did bless us with her..We Love you girls so very much.eyl

    10. Cris Stennett / March 6, 2021 at 3:55 am

      Rhonda and Jennifer, I am so sorry for your loss. Carole was a great lady. I was lucky to have known her.

    11. Heidi Frederick / March 6, 2021 at 5:58 am

      Rhonda and Rachel, I am sorry to hear of the loss of Carole. You are in my prayers.

    12. Flava Bunting / March 6, 2021 at 9:14 am

      Rhonda Jenny and Rachel your Mother was special. I love visting with her . She was proud of you girles and Jenny she was so happy you started quilting .Love you girls’ she will be missed

    13. Rob Wick / March 6, 2021 at 10:01 am

      Rhonda and Jenny, I am deeply sorrowed by the loss of your dear mother. Some of the greatest memories I hold are visiting with her at the library when I worked at the paper in Albion. Sadly, after I moved I lost track of her, but always enjoyed seeing Rhonda when she would come into the bookstore. Carole was one of those few people who made the world a brighter place just by being here. I had forgotten that she liked wrestling, because we talked about it sometimes when I came in. Heartfelt condolences to you all.

    14. Vera Bunting Vasudevan / March 6, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      Rhonda and Jennifer, our lives crossed in so many, many ways. It is so sad to learn of your loss.
      Carol was such a remarkable woman. She was thoughtful and kind and so so bright,
      We were fortunate to know her and call her a friend.
      Thinking of you and your family.

    15. Curtis Ingram / March 6, 2021 at 8:05 pm

      Thinking of you and the pleasant times that Drexel Dixie and Dolores had with her at the library.Blessings and comfort to you
      Curtis and Dolores Ingram

    16. Lois Mann / March 6, 2021 at 10:34 pm

      “Mrs. Shaw” was a favorite at our house for years. How she remembered what so many individual children liked to read was beyond me. I wonder how many stories she listened to in those years. She treated each child and story as if they were the most important part of her day.
      She and her smile have left many good memories.

    17. Danielle Lankford Kimbrell / March 7, 2021 at 2:22 pm

      Carole Shaw! What a wonderful addition to Albion and EC she was! She had a contagious smile and laugh. It always amazes me how she remembered what genre each individual liked to read! She always knew Mom and I loved a good mystery! She always told me the most interesting stories about her life growing up ” in the hollers of West Virginia ” with all her siblings. I will always remember her and feel privileged to have known her. She didn’t just sit at a library desk. Carole shared her life with all of us and sincerely cared about our lives, too! Rhonda and Rachel, I am thinking of you two. And, Jenny, your mother loved you much and talked about you all the time when I would visit the library.

    18. James Piercy / March 8, 2021 at 8:24 am

      Rhonda and Jennifer,
      I was so sorry to hear about your Mom. I so enjoyed every visit I had with her while she was at Wabash. Her eyes would light up when I told her that I had seen you or Cindy and Stuart. She was always so proud of her family.
      My prayers and sympathy go out to you.

    19. Rita Hortin / March 18, 2021 at 1:54 pm

      Rhonda and Jenny,
      I have so many good memories of working in the library with Carole. Your mom had such a beautiful way of whistling! I always think of her as happy and smiling as she helped people. She was unique! You have my sympathy.

    20. Pamela Vohra / March 26, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      Ronda and Jennifer,
      I was so very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I have such fond memories of spending time in the Albion Library pouring over books and your mother making sure I was doing okay and asking if there was anything she could help me with. What a lovely soul she had. Such a thoughtful and kind woman. Loved the twinkle in her eyes.
      My prayers go to both of you and your families.

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