Linda Kay Shaw, 76, of Hull, Texas, passed away on August 21, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Kay was born on May 22, 1950, at St. Mary's Hospital in Port Arthur, Texas, to J.C. and Faye Queen. She grew up in Groves, Texas, and graduated from Port Neches-Groves High School in 1968. She went on to graduate from East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas, in 1972.

In 1975, Kay married Doug Shaw. For the next 51 years, they built a life together in Hull, raising their daughters, working hard, supporting one another, and making a home that became the gathering place for family and friends. They shared a love and devotion to one another that carried them through a lifetime of shared experiences. She and Doug also enjoyed being part-time residents of Northport, Alabama, where they were able to spend precious time with their two grandsons.

Kay dedicated 37 years of her life to teaching at Hull-Daisetta Elementary School. She spent more than half of her teaching career in fourth grade, with brief stints in first and third grade, before finishing her classroom years teaching fifth grade. She then spent her final ten years serving as the school librarian where she got to share her love of books.

Kay expected a great deal from her students because she believed in them and wanted each of them to reach their full potential. She was known for her love of reading, her strong math skills, and the creative tricks she used to make learning memorable. One of her favorite books to share with her students each year was Where the Red Fern Grows. But perhaps what her students remember most was how deeply she cared about them and her high expectations and standards.

Her faith was another cornerstone of her life. She was a faithful church member in the Hull-Daisetta community and served in countless ways over the years. She taught Sunday School, participated in Vacation Bible School and youth activities, played the piano, sang alto in the choir and quartet, and was always ready to help wherever she was needed. She was known for her famous chicken sauce spaghetti and for the laughter and fellowship she shared with those around her. Her church family was an important part of her life, and she cherished the friendships she made there.

But above all else, Kay was devoted to her family.

The light of her life was her grandsons, Nathan and Noah Rainey, whom they lovingly called Belle. She rarely missed an opportunity to support them and could most often be found cheering them on from the stands at their baseball, basketball, and football games. She helped with homework, kept them supplied with homemade cookies, and proudly spoiled them every chance she got. In Belle's eyes, Nathan and Noah could do no wrong, and she made sure they knew just how much they were loved.

Kay had a gift for making people feel cared for and special. She leaves behind not only a loving family, but countless friends whose lives were made richer by knowing her. She will be remembered for her generous heart, quick wit, strong faith, love of children, devotion to family, and the many ways she made the everyday things special.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Charles "J.C." Queen and Hilda Faye Queen; her father-in-law, Alton Eugene Shaw; and her mother-in-law, Kathryn Bay Shaw.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Douglas Eugene Shaw; daughter Meredith Cathryn "Cathy" Rainey and her husband, Andy, of Northport, Alabama; daughter Rori Beth Shaw of Dallas, Texas; grandsons Nathan Shaw Rainey and Noah Andrew Rainey; sister Denise Queen Smith and her husband, Steve; brother Ted Clay Queen and his wife, Jill; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 5th, immediately followed by a memorial service at First Baptist Church Hull, 7207 FM 834 E, Hull, TX 77564. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to MD Anderson Cancer Center at gifts.mdanderson.org