Elaine ("Eaton") -Foster Shaw

Elaine (Eaton)-Foster Shaw, age 76, of Alvin, TX passed away Sunday morning December 13th at her home surrounded by her loving and supportive family. She was born in Alvin, TX on May 10, 1944 to James “JB” Eaton and Annie “Irene” (Rodgers) Eaton, both longtime residents of Alvin and was welcomed home at birth by older siblings Mary (Eaton) Sharp and James (Bud) Eaton. 

Left to keep her memory alive are her children: Tonya (Foster) Henshaw of Goodlettsville, TN, Janet (Foster) James of Mt Juliet, TN, Jeff Foster of Alvin, TX and a granddaughter Shannassy (Foster ) Ross of Hot Springs, AR that she adopted and raised. Elaine also has two stepdaughters Kim (Shaw) Essick and Stephanie (Shaw) Terry both of Alvin, TX whom she loved like her own from her second marriage to Jimmy D Shaw, with whom she was married and enjoyed his love and devotion for 17 years, with whom preceded her in death in 2018.  

Elaine’s legacy will continue and she will be remembered by her grandchildren: Megan Overton, Tiffany (Finley) Burleson, Canaan (James) Griffey, Tara (Finley) Goetz, Jordan James, Winham Foster, Waylen Foster, Nathaniel Terry, Austin Terry, Melina Essick and Summer Terry and her great-grandchildren: Giselle, Colby, Aiden, Ava, Adelynn, Henry, Eleanor, Alice, Ben, Robert, Jack, Liam, Winham Jr and Oran. 

Elaine will be cherished and is survived by her sister Mary (Eaton) Sharp of Alvin and her brother Jim (Bud) Eaton of Alvin and numerous nieces and nephews on both sides of the family and sisters-in-law Pat (Foster) Hill, Kathy (Smith-Foster) Quillin, Molly (Shaw) Reavis, June (Shaw) Sandel and Sally (Shaw) Curtner. She is preceded in death by her younger sister Tammy Sue (Suzy) Eaton and husband Jimmy D Shaw and both her parents. 

Elaine was raised in Alvin and graduated from Alvin High School in 1962.  She married Lee Foster, whom she met in the spring of 62 at a dance at The American Legion Hall, the summer after graduation and started a family immediately. They traveled many years in the ministry and returned to Alvin in 1978 to live where she worked with her brother-in-law Robert Sharp who was a home builder, as his administrative assistant. Elaine was described as shy, quiet and reserved most of her life by her school friends, however being a ministers wife pushed her out of her comfort zone and taught her to speak in front of people as she enjoyed teaching Bible studies. She loved any kind of party and get-togethers, especially if dancing was involved. She enjoyed entertaining and making people feel special and her home was always open to whomever wanted to drop by for a cup of coffee or glass of her famous sweet tea. Elaine had a true gift for making anyone feel seen, welcomed and loved. 

She will be most remembered for her gift of hospitality, her big hugs, her sweet laugh and her love for fifties music and her “never-ever” sitting out a dance. She loved life and her exuberance and search for a good time and a strong margarita made her always THE LIFE OF THE PARTY. 

A family visitation will be held prior to the service on Saturday, December 19th at 2:00 p.m. at The First Christian Church in Alvin TX located at 1212 South Durant St then the Celebration of Life/Memory Service is scheduled for Saturday, December 19th at The First Christian Church in Alvin TX located at 1212 South Durant St at 3:00, Officiating will be her daughter Janet James. 

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