Wanda Shaw

Obituary For Wanda Shaw

We gather today to celebrate the life of Ms. Wanda Deloise Shaw, who was born October 16, 1959, into the family of Rufus and Annie D. Shaw in Memphis, Tennessee.

Under the pastoral leadership of Pastor O.C. Collins, Sr., of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, Wanda accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized. Her love for the ministry of music started at Progressive Baptist Church where she sang in the youth choir and continued to the Sanctuary Choir at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church.

She attended Lester Elementary School and graduated from Treadwell High School in 1977. Gifted academically, Wanda was a member of the Spanish Honors Club at Treadwell and majored in Spanish at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She excelled in college and earned a degree in Spanish in three years! She later earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership at Trevecca Nazarene University.

Wanda was also gifted theatrically. During her high school years, she was a member of the Drama Club under the tutelage of Ms. Flo Roach and competed across the state, winning several awards. Being the consummate thespian, Wanda continued her artistic endeavors and joined the Mid-America Performing Arts Alliance, which led to tours across the country and performances at the Orpheum. She later joined the “Ettaro Fine Arts Foundation” where she is best known for her performances in “Black Soap” starring as “Ms. Frankie”- ‘Chile.’ Notable presentations also include productions of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church’s “UMOJA” where she performed memorable roles as “Mammy Pearl” and a mother of a murdered son in “Mama’s Ti’ed” (is my son less dead?).

Wanda’s most recent roles include the Soldier at the Tomb and Angel 1 in the Podcast, THE FIRST XLVIII, and her final performance with Ettaro Fine Arts Foundation’s Silver Stage Players where she played a Maid who demanded that other maids not ride the bus during the Montgomery bus boycott.

She also completed filming for an upcoming PICA movie. In fact, at the time of this writing, Willard Pugh, who played Harpo in “The Color Purple” and competed with Wanda in various events, called Mrs. Annie Shaw to offer condolences and state that “Wanda was a powerful actress!”

Wanda pledged and was inducted into the Mu Zeta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated in 1979 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and continued her service with the Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated. She was also a charter member of The Blvd Toastmaster Club, served as 1st President, and competed and won awards in the District 43 area evaluations.

The career and gift that brought her immense joy was “teaching.” I highlight “teacher,” because Ms. Shaw did not merely instruct, give advice, or provide guidance. She was inspired and motivated. Students are universal in their praise of her style, intellect, competence, and her unique combination of skills and talents as an actor/ teacher/educational leader/ and mentor. She taught numerous students and led academic programs at myriad educational institutions, including Havenview, Hamilton High School, Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, where she also served as Dean of World Languages faculty, Rust College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Craigmont High School, and MBCC Camp Lead. She was constantly stopped by former students who thanked her for being the “Best Teacher” they ever had.

Wanda’s greatest love was family. She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Calbert Geoffrey; her mother, Mrs. Annie D. Shaw (Rufus preceded in death); her brother, Rufus Calvin (Beatrice) of Roswell, Georgia; five grandchildren, aunts, Juanetta Bennett of Greenville, South Carolina, and Jeanette Bennett of Greensville, South Carolina; her uncle, Roger (Linda) Bennett of Hinesville, Georgia; a niece, Morgan; and a host of cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends Friday, May 5, 2023 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Funeral service will be Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 11:00am both will be held at Mississippi Blvd Christian Church 70 N Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, TN 38104

Interment will be immediately following the service at Memorial Park Cemetery 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119