Obituary of Elva Shaw

18 Oct 1929 – 17 Mar 2005

Daughter of Ruel Elgen Brown and Effie Vilate Averett

Wife of Grant Brown Shaw


Elva Brown Shaw passed from mortality on March 17, 2005. 

The fourth child of Elgen and Effie Brown, Elva was born October 18, 1929 in Lovell, Wyoming. Raised on a family farm in Northern Wyoming, Elva there developed strong work ethics, religious values and a provident life style that would guide her throughout her life. 

After graduating from Lovell High School, Elva moved to Provo, Utah where she attended Brigham Young University. Following graduation from BYU Elva served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Mexico and Arizona. 

Upon the conclusion of her missionary service, Elva followed her older sisters to Northern California where she found employment with Shell Chemical. In California, she met a young widower, Grant Shaw. They courted and were married a short time later when Elva instantly became the mother to Grant’s four children. Three additional children joined the family in the ensuing years. Nurturing these seven children and supporting her sweetheart Grant became the focus of Elva’s life for many years. 

Following Grant’s passing in 1992, Elva served as a missionary for her church at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City on two separate occasions. Elva’s life was full of kindness, service and love. She in return has been loved by many. 

Elva was a resident of Martinez, California for over forty years, having moved to Medford, Oregon in 2001. Elva is preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother Norman. She is survived by her children Grant Shaw II, Karen Owens, Nora Peterson, Susan Raisor, Paul Shaw, Coleen Merrill, Marian Collins; siblings Ethyl Stan, Lorene Jellinghausen, Ruel Brown, Ed Brown; 26 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. 

A public viewing will be held Tuesday March 22 from 10:30 ? 11:30 a.m. followed by funeral services at 12 noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2900 Juanipero Way, Medford.