Dorothy Kelly Shaw, 95 of Eatonton, passed away peacefully in her home on December 28, 2022 after a brief illness. “Miss Dot” was a southern lady, enjoyed a quiet way of doing for others and cared deeply for those less fortunate. She was part of that greatest generation that learned to live modestly and appreciate the things that really matter in life. She was an expert seamstress who loved sewing for her two daughters and made many “cabbage patch” dolls for anyone who wanted them.
She was born in Eatonton on December 30, 1926 to the late Lewis Harrison Kelly, Sr and Lillie Grace Layson Kelly. After graduating from Eatonton High School in 1944, she completed Atlanta Business School and then worked for Georgia Power. Missing the small-town life, Dot returned to Eatonton and was employed by the Peoples Bank for 13 years, the Enterprise Aluminum Plant for 25 years and then retired after 10 years with the Department of Corrections in Milledgeville.
She joined the First United Methodist Church of Eatonton in 1947 where she began singing in the choir. Dot was a charter member of the United Methodist Women from 2003 to 2022. She obtained and notified the church of any deaths related to members and cataloged her findings for the church bulletin.
From 1998 to 2008, Dot volunteered for the Plaza Museum where she served on the committee for the renovation of the Old Eatonton Grammar School. She provided valuable input to ensure an old classroom, blackboard and desks were restored to their historical period. She obtained group photos of every graduating class from 1907 to 1970 and identified each student’s and teacher’s name. She thoroughly enjoyed this task since it reconnected her with so many old friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers “Loyd” Lewis Harrison Kelly, Jr and “Fred” Frederick Lamar Kelly, sister “Dimples” Kelly Edwards and son in law Edwin “Brother” Hodges, Jr. Survivors include daughters Dr. Elaine Hodges and Marlene (Richard) Marshall and grandson Chad Hodges and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation and service will be held on Monday, January 2, 2022 at 1:00 pm followed by the service at 2 pm in the Eatonton First United Methodist Historic Chapel with Reverend David Wofford officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Kip Kelly, Bob Johnson, Harry Luke and Kent Lawrence. Interment will be at Eatonton Memorial Park.
