Viola James Shaw 90, daughter of the late Willie James, Sr., and Bessie Smith James born October 30, 1935, in Vance, Orangeburg County, South Carolina entered eternal rest on Friday July 17, 2026, in her home after an extended illness, with her daughters at her bedside.

A 1956 graduate of Roberts High School in Holly Hill, SC, she later migrated to Norwalk, CT where she met and married the love of her life for 55 years, the late Cain Shaw on June 27, 1959.

Viola was a devoted mother of four and a homemaker until 1978 when she began employment in retail sales at the now defunct “Bradlees” department store for 22 years. She was a seamstress and an excellent cook and baker, best known for her “amazing brownies.” She was a diehard fan of the NY Knicks and the UCONN Huskies (men & women) basketball teams.

She was a loving grandmother of three, dedicating her time and resources to their upbringing and happiness.

Viola was predeceased by her daughter, Shirl Lorraine Shaw, and three siblings: Rosa Lee Williams, Willie James Sr., and Walter Lee James. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Cynthia Shaw (Earl) Lee and Sheila D. Shaw; her son, Dwayne (Jean) Shaw; three grandchildren, Tamara J. Shaw (TX), Shayla K. Shaw (NC), and Devon Shaw (UK); and two sisters-in-law, Lottie Mae Shaw (MD) and Gelain Shaw (SC). She is also remembered by her children of the heart: Rev. Dr. James Kyle Page, Harry Oliver Jr., Wayne Price, Kenneth Jordan, Cassandra Johnson, and Brian Patterson; special cousins, Annie Bell Jackson and Walter James; special friends, Willie Mae Keller, Shirley Patterson, and Ethel Stokes; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25th, 2026, from 9:00AM - 10:00AM followed by a service of celebration at 10:00AM at Bethel AME Church in Norwalk, CT. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, in Norwalk, CT.