Ralph Bee Shaw, 81, of Ethelsville, AL, passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS. There will be a visitation on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Assembly Church in Columbus, MS. Funeral services will be Friday, September 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at The Assembly Church in Columbus, MS, with Bro. Joe Fowler officiating and Ricky Hendon, Anthony Prestage, and Jody Gurley assisting. The body will lie-in-state on Friday, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. in the church. Burial will follow at Millport City Cemetery in Millport, AL.

Ralph Bee Shaw was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend whose life was centered around the things he treasured most—his Lord, his family, hard work, and the outdoors.

Ralph was married to the love of his life for 63 wonderful years. Together, they built a life and a family that he was incredibly proud of. There was nothing more important to him than his family, and some of his greatest joy came from simply being surrounded by the people he loved.

Ralph loved the Lord and faithfully served Him through his local church. His faith was not something he simply talked about; it was something he lived. Over the years, he served on many mission trips, giving his time and using his talents to help others. He leaves his family a wonderful example of faith, service, generosity, and love.

He was also a hardworking man. Ralph began working as a plumber in 1963 and spent his life building a business and a reputation through hard work and dedication. Retirement never really meant sitting still for Ralph. After his son took over the family business, Ralph still enjoyed going to work with him and the boys. He would run the trackhoe, helping with a job, or simply sitting in the dirt putting fittings together, he was happiest being right there with them. Work was never just work to Ralph—it was another way to spend time with his family and pass along what he knew.

Ralph had a lifelong love for the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. Some of his most treasured memories were made on the Alabama River, a place that was special to him because his own father had taken him there when he was a boy. As the years passed, Ralph carried that tradition forward, taking his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren fishing and teaching them the things that had first been taught to him.

The Alabama River became more than a place to fish. It became part of the Shaw family’s story—a place filled with memories, laughter, lessons, and time together. A new fishing tradition was started this year, and Ralph would surely want every one of them to carry it on. Every trip to the river, every line cast into the water, and every story told along the way will be another way of keeping a little piece of him close.

He loved hunting as well and took great pleasure in teaching the younger generations about the outdoors. He didn’t just teach them how to hunt or fish; he taught them patience, hard work, respect for the land, and the importance of spending time together.

And when Ralph wasn’t working, hunting, or fishing, there was a good chance he was thinking about a garden. He loved planning and planting a garden and especially enjoyed the rewards of it. Homegrown corn and tomatoes were among his favorites—and there certainly had to be some okra.

Ralph’s life was not measured by possessions or accomplishments, but by the people he loved, the faith he lived, the lessons he taught, and the memories he created. He was happiest doing the simple things: working alongside his family, sitting by the river, planting a garden, taking a child fishing, or spending time with the woman he loved for 63 years.

His hands knew hard work. His heart knew deep love. His life demonstrated faithfulness.

The lessons Ralph taught will continue through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His family will see him in the gardens they plant, remember him when the tomatoes and corn come in, think of him when they hear the sound of a trackhoe on a jobsite, and feel especially close to him whenever they return to the Alabama River and cast a line into the water.

Ralph Bee Shaw leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, hard work, and love—a legacy that will live on for generations.

Though he will be deeply missed, the family finds comfort in knowing that the Lord Ralph loved and served throughout his life has welcomed him home.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Toni Shaw; daughter, Loretta Shelton (Keith), Tiffany Young (Jeff) ; son, Robbie Shaw (Amy); sister, Earline Robertson; brother, Earl Shaw (Peggy); 8 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Ivadean Shaw; and brothers, James Shaw and Billy Joe Shaw.

Pallbearers will be Rob Shelton, Dawson Shaw, Dakota Shaw, Drake Shaw, Ralston Young, Colton Young, and Heath Baines.

Honorary pallbearers will be other grandsons and nephews.