Obituary for Iva Claudette Faulk (Shaw)
Iva Claudette Shaw Faulk
June 30, 1937 – July 9, 2022
Embry Community, Webster County
Iva Claudette Shaw Faulk made her journey with her beloved Savior from this life to eternity on July 9, 2022. As always by her side and holding as he has done for the past 67 years was her best friend, spiritual leader, and husband George Robert Faulk in their home at Embry Community. Webster County, Mississippi.
Claudette Shaw was born on June 30, 1937, in Houston, Mississippi Hospital to Claude Evans Shaw and Viola Hannah Shaw of Embry near Eupora, Mississippi. She was the third child of the Shaw’s and was welcomed by big brothers Claude Russell Shaw and William Irby Shaw.
During WWII, the Shaw sons were called to fight the Nazi Regime in Franc and Italy while baby sister grew into the only child at home with Mom and Dad. Claudette quickly developed her musical as well as her communication skills having this time to be with a blind mother and a busy, independent businessman father who had a growing farm growing cattle and hogs as well as a small country store along with becoming the supervisor of District 2, Webster County.
Claudette was constantly with people – growing, developing, and molding skills that would make her the person all loved. Her home daily was filled with passers-by, neighbors, and her Sundays were spent in the Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church where at the age of 6 she received Jesus as her Lord and Savior followed by her mother Viola, who was baptized with her baby girl.
Claudette quickly developed her musical skills at home as well as church having parents who loved music and the Hannah family who played all stringed instruments. She studied piano under Margaret Lacy who would later teach Claudette’s son, Rob.
At the age of 14, Claudette won the 4-H Club coveted State Speaking Competition and with some 14 years of formal music lessons developed a remarkable ability to write, play piano and organ, vocalize, and simply love people.
She attended Springhill School; at the age of 16, she moved to Wood Jr. College to enter higher education. She excelled in her education and knew that she wanted to be an influence. In the fall of 1954 while at Wood, a young All-State star basketball player from Alabama came to Mathiston, and walked into the Rec Hall, and the rest is history.
George Robert Faulk, a determined young man with a dream to do great things had found a soul-mate with equal talents, dreams and a passion to change lives. The two would be married on July 5, 1955, in the famed “Cathedral of the Pines” on the campus of Wood Jr. College in Mathiston, Mississippi.
The couple traveled with $35.00 and hitching a ride from their wedding to the little village of Ariton, Alabama. They took refuge in the home of the groom’s parents. George found his first job using a sledgehammer to tear down a county jail while Claudette helped her new mother-in-law in this Alabama town.
The next years saw the birth of babies, more college, teaching opportunities, coaching challenges, paying bills, praying, working, struggling, and praying more, but love ruled the Faulk house. The family finally settled where Claudette came into the world in Embry. They returned to help with the growing farm, a completely blind mother, Viola, an aging, Claude, and sons who needed stability.
Claudette began another adventure in her pursuit of education and her gift of communication, compassion, and changing the world to a better place. George found a home with his leadership skills, mathematical expertise, and management qualities with Futorian Corporation building living room furniture and recliners in Eupora. Claudette would become a 4th grade teacher at Eupora Elementary where she would serve for 33 years.
Claudette gave birth to four sons: Robert Shaw (Julia) Faulk of Chester, MS, Joseph Evans (Jody) Faulk of Grenada, Aubrey Patrick Faulk of Jackson, and George Anthony (Kim) Faulk of Eupora. All these sons grew into men who were taught and shown the Word of God, and all four are either licensed ordained deacons or ministers of the gospel. Claudette played the organ for over 55 years at the Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church of Embry Community while George Robert led the music.
“Mrs. Faulk”, as many of her past students would call her, lived a life of service-above-self to all who knew her. She is still beloved by children of all ages who found in her an unconditional, agape love. Mrs., Faulk saw the best in all her students and believed in them.
Claudette Faulk is survived by her husband of 67 years, George Robert Faulk, her four sons, nine grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Wise Reed Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
June 30, 1937 – July 9, 2022
Embry Community, Webster County
Iva Claudette Shaw Faulk made her journey with her beloved Savior from this life to eternity on July 9, 2022. As always by her side and holding as he has done for the past 67 years was her best friend, spiritual leader, and husband George Robert Faulk in their home at Embry Community. Webster County, Mississippi.
Claudette Shaw was born on June 30, 1937, in Houston, Mississippi Hospital to Claude Evans Shaw and Viola Hannah Shaw of Embry near Eupora, Mississippi. She was the third child of the Shaw’s and was welcomed by big brothers Claude Russell Shaw and William Irby Shaw.
During WWII, the Shaw sons were called to fight the Nazi Regime in Franc and Italy while baby sister grew into the only child at home with Mom and Dad. Claudette quickly developed her musical as well as her communication skills having this time to be with a blind mother and a busy, independent businessman father who had a growing farm growing cattle and hogs as well as a small country store along with becoming the supervisor of District 2, Webster County.
Claudette was constantly with people – growing, developing, and molding skills that would make her the person all loved. Her home daily was filled with passers-by, neighbors, and her Sundays were spent in the Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church where at the age of 6 she received Jesus as her Lord and Savior followed by her mother Viola, who was baptized with her baby girl.
Claudette quickly developed her musical skills at home as well as church having parents who loved music and the Hannah family who played all stringed instruments. She studied piano under Margaret Lacy who would later teach Claudette’s son, Rob.
At the age of 14, Claudette won the 4-H Club coveted State Speaking Competition and with some 14 years of formal music lessons developed a remarkable ability to write, play piano and organ, vocalize, and simply love people.
She attended Springhill School; at the age of 16, she moved to Wood Jr. College to enter higher education. She excelled in her education and knew that she wanted to be an influence. In the fall of 1954 while at Wood, a young All-State star basketball player from Alabama came to Mathiston, and walked into the Rec Hall, and the rest is history.
George Robert Faulk, a determined young man with a dream to do great things had found a soul-mate with equal talents, dreams and a passion to change lives. The two would be married on July 5, 1955, in the famed “Cathedral of the Pines” on the campus of Wood Jr. College in Mathiston, Mississippi.
The couple traveled with $35.00 and hitching a ride from their wedding to the little village of Ariton, Alabama. They took refuge in the home of the groom’s parents. George found his first job using a sledgehammer to tear down a county jail while Claudette helped her new mother-in-law in this Alabama town.
The next years saw the birth of babies, more college, teaching opportunities, coaching challenges, paying bills, praying, working, struggling, and praying more, but love ruled the Faulk house. The family finally settled where Claudette came into the world in Embry. They returned to help with the growing farm, a completely blind mother, Viola, an aging, Claude, and sons who needed stability.
Claudette began another adventure in her pursuit of education and her gift of communication, compassion, and changing the world to a better place. George found a home with his leadership skills, mathematical expertise, and management qualities with Futorian Corporation building living room furniture and recliners in Eupora. Claudette would become a 4th grade teacher at Eupora Elementary where she would serve for 33 years.
Claudette gave birth to four sons: Robert Shaw (Julia) Faulk of Chester, MS, Joseph Evans (Jody) Faulk of Grenada, Aubrey Patrick Faulk of Jackson, and George Anthony (Kim) Faulk of Eupora. All these sons grew into men who were taught and shown the Word of God, and all four are either licensed ordained deacons or ministers of the gospel. Claudette played the organ for over 55 years at the Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church of Embry Community while George Robert led the music.
“Mrs. Faulk”, as many of her past students would call her, lived a life of service-above-self to all who knew her. She is still beloved by children of all ages who found in her an unconditional, agape love. Mrs., Faulk saw the best in all her students and believed in them.
Claudette Faulk is survived by her husband of 67 years, George Robert Faulk, her four sons, nine grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Wise Reed Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.