Laverne Shaw

Mrs. Laverne Kimbrel Shaw of Colquitt, GA died on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at Pruitt Health in Albany, GA. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 22, at 11:00 AM, at Bellview Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. David Young and Rev. Royce Horne officiating. Interment will follow at Bellview Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.

Laverne was born in Miller County on September 22, 1926 to John and Lucy Haire Kimbrel. She lived almost all her life on Avenue Road. 

At the age of 95, she moved to Colquitt Alternative Care where she had many friends. She was always known to be a strong and independent woman. She lived alone after her husband, Ralph, died. She continued to drive and teach Sunday School at Bellview Free Will Baptist Church well into her 90s. 

She was a very active member at Bellview. She never missed a Sunday morning, evening, or Wednesday night service. You could always find her on the third row on the left-hand side of the church. The second row had a plaque with her name because she and her husband had paid for it when the church was renovated many years ago. When asked why she sat on the third row instead of the one with her name, she said that she was saving it for visitors. Laverne retired from the State of Georgia. She worked most of her working years at the Miller and Seminole County health departments. 

She is survived by her three daughters, Cathi (Dickie) Dickens of Lake Charles, LA, Diane Rouse of Albany, GA, Carol (John) Fountain of Conyers, GA; two granddaughters, Kadi Steele, of Clayton, GA and Danielle Downs of Phoenix, AZ; one grandson, David (Keeley) Fountain of Atlanta, GA; three great-granddaughters, Rachel and Rebecca Moon of Clayton, GA, and Clark Fountain of Atlanta, GA; and one great-grandson, Shaw Downs, of Phoenix, AZ. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Shaw; her parents, John and Lucy Kimbrel; one sister, Elvie English; and two grandchildren, Erik Barr and Tiffany Blankenship.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to the Bellview Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery fund.