Betty Jo Shaw

Mrs. Betty Jo Shaw, daughter of the late Gid Lee Smith and late Vivian Louise Smith, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, October 27, 2025, after a long battle with dementia and cancer. Born in 1935, Mrs. Shaw recently celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends. She was married for 64 years to Jerry Jackson Shaw, who passed away in 2019. Both were born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Lithonia, a suburb of Atlanta. Jo and Jerry raised their three children in Decatur, Georgia, and then moved to Stone Mountain. When Jerry became chronically ill, Jo decided to sell her home and move into assisted living with her husband at Noble Village in Suwanee. They later moved to The Phoenix in Gainesville. Jo spent the last three years in Gray, living with her son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Lisa Shaw.

Mrs. Shaw lives on through her daughter, Jessica Jo Satterfield (Mike) of Gainesville, GA, and son, Jeffrey Jackson Shaw (Lisa) of Gray, GA. Her youngest son, Joel Judson Shaw of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away in 2000. Jo had three siblings: Herbert Lee Smith (Laverne), Doyle Louis Smith (Rita), and Carolyn Louise Britt (James), all of whom preceded her in death. Jo has four grandchildren and two bonus grandchildren: Ryan Satterfield (Brandy), Megan Churchill (Kevin), Kristen Gibson (Thos), Lindsey Rundell (Frank), Brynn Savage, and Langdon Cheves (Anna). There are 12 great-grandchildren and five bonus great-grandchildren: Mackenzie Satterfield, Brooks Satterfield, Jackson Churchill, Henry Churchill, Lillian Churchill, Ayla Gibson, Wolfe Gibson, Nova Gibson, Elizabeth Rundell, Maddie Rundell, Joanna Rundell, Olive Rundell, Pru Gibson, Spy Gibson, Ethan Savage, Katelyn Savage, and Georgia Cheves. There are seven nephews and seven nieces on the Smith side of the family, and seven nephews and two nieces on the Shaw side. One nephew on the Shaw side of the family is deceased.

Jo graduated from Lithonia High School and was a stay-at-home mom for several years. When her kids were older, Jo became a church secretary at First Baptist Church in Avondale Estates, GA, and then worked as an administrative assistant for Arnold and Hills PC, an accounting firm in Norcross, GA. She then worked as an administrative assistant for Gary L. Black & Associates PC, an accounting firm in Conyers, GA. Jo officially retired in 2007.

Jo and her family were long-time members of First Baptist Church, Avondale Estates, where she taught children’s Sunday School and served in the Women’s Missionary Union. She also served in the food ministry and remained active in the Adult Choir, Treble Choir, and Senior Adult Choir. In addition, Jo was an active member of the Senior Adult Ministry.

Jo and her husband, Jerry, developed a caring, compassionate ministry for singles, divorcees, and widows. They opened their home and provided elaborate meals for this group of friends on special occasions, such as Christmas morning and Valentine’s Day. The Shaws did not want anyone to be alone on a holiday, and they sought to make each holiday meaningful. Jo and Jerry maintained this ministry for many years.

Jo Shaw loved her family and friends. Her legacy will continue through the generations.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Hart’s Mortuary in Gray, GA. Johnnie Cameron, nephew and CW4, USA, Retired, and Rev. Ricky Feagin, dear friend and pastor of God’s Grace Baptist Church, will officiate. The family will receive guests from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Interment will be in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. The time set is Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s Jones County Chapel, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 307 Pecan Lane, Gray, GA 31032 has charge of the arrangements.