Kenneth Benedict Shaw

Our beloved, Kenneth Benedict Shaw, 71, of Elizabeth City, NC, departed this life on Thursday, February 29, 2024. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at The Museum of the Albemarle. 
 

Kenneth Benedict Shaw was born on September 26th, 1952, to Carl and Lois Shaw, two loving and devoted parents in Flint, Michigan. He was the oldest boy and third child in the Shaw family. When he was a young boy, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal Savior. He was baptized By Rev. Thomas Courts at Vermont Christian Church in Flint, MI where his mother was a Minister and church leader.

As a young man, Kenneth broke many barriers crossing the racial divide of segregation and being known to many not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character. He and his brother joined the local predominantly white YMCA where Kenneth shined in swimming and ping pong. Becoming a national ping pong champion and winning the gold medal at the CANUSA Games, the North American longest-running international games between the USA and Canada. Ken Shaw, as he was affectionately known to many, was truly a friend and loved by all.

Kenneth graduated from Southwestern High School in 1970. In high school, he was a scholar and a diplomat. There he was a member of the debate club and the Young Senators club. During high school, he traveled to Jamaica for the first time, planting the dream that he would one day live in Jamaica. Kenneth furthered his education by attending the University of Michigan Flint. There he was one of the founding members of the Kamil Kafi Fraternity making a strong impact on the campus.
In the early eighties, Kenneth moved from his beloved hometown of Flint, Michigan to Oakland, California. Embarking on a life-changing journey. There he became the Director of Guest Services as a manager for the Oakland Hyatt Hotel. Within the Hyatt Company, he was respected as a trustworthy member of the management team and became an important part of the hotel.

While in Oakland, CA he met the first love of his life Desiree Pease. He and Desiree married on September 28th,1985 and set out to begin a love that would last forever. Soon after they married Kenneth and Desiree welcomed home their beautiful baby girl Ashley Moryiah Shaw on October 1, 1988. Kenneth was a devoted husband and father. Fathering Ashley was one of his greatest accomplishments. He often mentioned his heartfelt love for his daughter and her accomplishments. He prided himself on the fact that he never missed one of her basketball games.

In 1995 Kenneth graduated from Elk Grove United School District with a degree from the Technology Training Institute in Business Skills Mastery. Kenneth later started his own business, a private investigator company called Shaw Private Investigating. He partnered with prominent African American attorneys in the Bay Area making a name for himself as a leading private investigator. Known for getting results.

One of Kenneth’s passions was traveling. Throughout his life, he traveled to Jamaica many times but during one trip he met the second love of his life. In 1999 he married Shernett Naud Brown and later fathered a second beautiful daughter Roberta Lois Shaw on February 16th, 2000. His dearly beloved daughter whom he named after his sister and his late mother. While in Jamaica Kenneth built a beautiful home and life for his family in the West Morland area of Jamaica. Accomplishing the lifelong dream of living in Jamaica. This was one of the happiest times of his life.

In his later years, he moved to Elizabeth City, North Carolina to be with his sister Roberta. In Elizabeth City, Kenneth befriended many. He worked throughout the community, in many capacities as a vital community worker. For the last five years Kenneth has dedicated a portion of his time to the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Becoming a part of the museum's family and working with the Museum Welcome Desk Staff, leaving a lasting impact on all that came through the museum doors.

Kenneth Benedict Shaw was a man of honor and respect, he will be remembered as a GOOD MAN who touched and enriched our lives in so many ways. He was a man of wisdom, who always offered good counsel. Ken was also known for his storytelling and comedic ability to make you laugh. He is preceded in death by his father Carl Shaw and his mother Lois Shaw. He leaves behind his two beloved daughters Ashley (Justin) Shaw Thompson and Roberta L. Shaw. His first wife Desiree Shaw and his second wife Shernett Brown. His four siblings Vera (Harold) Ferrell, Roberta Shaw-Williamson, Theresa Brock, and Michael (Vanessa) Shaw and eldest cousin Neal Piggins. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. His sweetheart Laura Hudson. His friends in the United States and in Jamaica. Kenneth will always be remembered and loved in the hearts of many.
 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.