Kim Shaw
Kim Yvonne Summers Shaw passed away peacefully on September 12th, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina, surrounded by family. Kim was born on August 23rd, 1961, in Laon, France, to Carrol Dee Summers and Janet Alice Summers. She was 64 years old. Kim received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Arkansas Tech University (1990), a Master’s in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas (1997), and later, a Master’s in Library Science from East Carolina University (2009).
She was a beloved mother and grandmother who showed nothing but unconditional love to her family. She found so much joy in simple things that centered around family, like holiday gatherings, shared meals, long chatty car rides, baking cookies with her granddaughters, and recounting memories of her own cherished parents.
A lifelong educator, Kim first taught school children in Arkansas and then in North Carolina, before retiring in 2019 after 30 years. She was a tireless advocate for reading and devoted innumerable class hours to reading aloud to her students, entertaining them endlessly with her character interpretations and imaginative voices. Countless students and teachers remember “Mrs. Shaw” as a teacher, role-model, friend, mentor, librarian, jokester, and all-around impactful human being.
Kim was incredibly kind, patient, loving and devoted. She developed lifelong friendships starting from a young age, and held those special friendships most dear to her heart. Kim loved to celebrate milestones and accomplishments and will forever be remembered as a cheerleader for those she loved and cared for.
Kim was a breast cancer survivor, and volunteered her time with local Relay for Life events along with her teacher friends before and after her recovery.
Kim held many passions and interests outside of her family and work, including singing in the church choir, arts and crafts like cross-stitch, but enjoyed being at the beach most of all. The earthly experience of feeling the sun, the sand, the waves, and the wind replenished her soul.
She is survived by her husband of 42 years, David N. Shaw, her son, David A. Shaw and his wife Meredith Shaw, her daughter, Erin Shaw and her husband Theodore Teran, and two grand-daughters who enjoyed every moment they spent with their beloved Nanny. She is also survived by her sister Caron Rogers and nephew Brad Rogers.
Kim departed this world quietly, leaving behind a life of devotion lived in service of her family, her friendships, and her students. Saying that ‘she will be missed’ is an understatement.
To honor Kim, the family asks that you grab your favorite book and read it aloud to someone you love. Extra credit if that person is a child and you use a silly voice.
A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, September 27th at Woodland Baptist Church in Woodland, NC.
We love you, dearly, Mom.