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Virginia Fern Shaw

9/27/1932 - 7/25/2025

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Obituary For Virginia Fern Shaw

It is with deep heartbreak that we share the passing of Virginia Fern Harmon Faulkner Shaw, known as Jimmy to most, Mom to two daughters, Granny to two grandsons and four great grandchildren, and Gungenny to one granddaughter. An avid gardener and enthusiastic lover of family and life in general, passed away peacefully in Virginia Beach, VA on July 25th, 2025, at the age of 92, while surrounded by family. Knowing our beloved Virginia was a blessing to anyone who crossed paths with her. Caring, selfless, independent, strong, and smart are just a few of the many admirable words that embody Virginia’s personality.

Virginia is one of 12 children of Leo and Viola Harmon. She grew up on farms in Arkansas and enjoyed spending time at her grandparent’s grocery store where she would play the jukebox and dance after the shop closed. She also loved attending
movie nights at the town theater. She especially enjoyed the walks home when the local Mexicans would serenade everyone.

Throughout Virginia’s life she has always excelled at working and setting an example of a strong woman. Some of her jobs included serving as the City Treasurer of a small town, working as a manager at Sears, and owning several businesses. She often talked about her time as an accountant in Chicago and how much she loved living in the city. She has never forgotten the parking ticket she received while living there.

In 1997 Virginia moved to Virginia Beach, VA to join her daughter where she loved spending longs day at the beach, finding hidden treasures in the local thrift stores, checking out dozens of library books at a time, planting a beautiful garden, and spending evenings in her recliner impressively solving every crossword puzzle in a book.

Virginia always enjoyed visits from her out-of-state family members, and she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in Virginia Beach.

Until the end, Virginia maintained her sense of humor, kindness, and an intense love of family. She was fiercely independent, only recently giving up her driver’s license at 90. She was active and lively, living at home independently until the last few weeks of her
life.

Virginia transformed everything in her presence into beauty and we hope those who knew her carry her exceptional traits and values with them as they move forward in life. We envision Virginia to be spending time with her predeceased parents, siblings, and
her favorite little dog, Theodore.

In lieu of a funeral service that Virginia explicitly did not want, please consider planting something in your garden and celebrating her long, fulfilling, and accomplished life. Virginia’s words to live by were, “Work hard and be grateful for all that God has given you.” She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Simply Cremation is assisting the family.

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Condolences

  • 02/20/2026

    renee

    watching videos and hearing voicemails will never fill the void i constantly feel , they said time will heal and you never forget but learn how to live with your new normal , however it's almost been a year and i still wake up in cold sweats when i dream about you , i still get stuck driving past your exit on the highway , i still this impossible feeling your just waiting for me to come stop by and surprise you , i haven't been to a thrift store since you passed , it's hard because a lot of them we have been together, you taught me how to drive even though i fibbed to get you , you were the best mom ever granny , you never stopped caring about us u til your last breathe , we were your little rugrats you couldn't get enough of . When we were young and even up into my teenage years we slept in the same bed , every night the same position , my legs in between the middle of yours , me laying on your left arm with your right rubbing my back so gently, now i lay like that with my son , i rub his back & put lotion on him every time after the bath just lik you , all i ever wanted in life was for you to live forever and i didn't get that wish so now i just have to make sure i do things to make you proud forever

  • 01/30/2026

    Reneé

    hey granny, i love you & miss you everyday, today is no different, i have so many great memories with you but to think about how the last was the last and i didn't know it yet hurt , i wish you would've let me taken more pictures of you because you are beautiful to me , but granny honestly i wish you left me more voicemails , i find so much comfort listening to your voice again , knowing that's something i can forever hold onto in forever grateful for, im so grateful for the lessons even the ones i yet to understand but knowing you implanted me with the seed to be a successful god fearing woman to be a good mom gives me the guidance that i may need , i know your watching over my back endlessly, thank you until next time my sweet girl - renee

  • 01/03/2026

    renee

    i miss you granny ... everyday this is so hard man , it's a new year and your still not here . i love you so much sissy

  • 12/25/2025

    renee

    merry christmas my beautiful girl , i love you more than life itself , i pray your at peace

  • 12/22/2025

    Reneér

    hey granny . today i miss you extra , i don't know what's been getting into me , but i shared your pictures in our family photos they miss you and love you the same as me

  • 12/19/2025

    Renee

    hey granny , another hard hard day without you , i saw a tiktok and it reminded me of you and sent me into a whirlpool of emotions , i love you so much , please please please save me a room in your mansion

  • 12/13/2025

    renee shoemake

    i miss you granny real bad

  • 11/27/2025

    Renee

    hey granny , happy thanksgiving girly , i miss you , i know today you and aunt tami would be eating cranberry jello crazy , i miss you , im thankful for the memories we got to make in my 20 years of life , Im thankful you are no longer in pain or in the constant state of not knowing anymore ... but it sucks for the ones you left here to remember you

  • 11/19/2025

    Renee Shoemake

    hey granny , i love you so much & miss you so bad i miss the smell of your house , i miss the smell of your burnt pancakes , i miss you making the porkchops with potatoes gloush, you always tried to prepare us for when you would no longer be here but for it actually to be a reality for me is something i would trade instantly, i miss the lemon on my hair for the streaks and apple cider vinegar to make it red , all this to say everytime i go into the store and see items that we would buy i mourn you more and more , i can't go a day without being sad due to the circumstances, granny i miss you and i need you , but i know heaven needed you more just save me a room in that golden mansion of yours beautiful

  • 11/06/2025

    rachel (sissy)

    oh granny the lord only knows how much i miss you i miss your voice, your face your skin I miss going to the thrift stores going to Walmart or Dollar tree early in the morning. I miss whenever Dad used to wake me up at 6 o'clock in the morning and drop me off. At your house at your house and you would be wide awake. I would go right in your room and fall asleep and I would wake up and you'd always cook me pancakes. I miss baking with you. I miss playing with Theodore at your house while you're outside gardening I miss everything about you. I know you're in a better place now the pain is off of you. You're the best person I know so loving so caring so genuine. I love you so much, Granny. We will meet again.

  • 09/27/2025

    renee

    I love you granny , today we are going to celebrate you not be sad , but be grateful you were in our lives for as much time as we had. It's selfish of us to wish for more knowing you were ready to be back home , thank you for watching over us & protecting us i love you my special girl

  • 09/02/2025

    renee shoemake

    I love you forever granny , you will always live through me , you're special sister girl , growing up you taught me multiple lessons to conquer life, now all i have to do is apply them to my life , granny im so thankful you were able to meet your great great grandson rashaud jr and that you were able to hold him , to know you was to love you, i find peace knowing your happy with god as you always talked about - love reneé

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