Roll Call Tribute

Mary Ann (Neff) Shaw 

June 1, 1938 - November 11, 2025 

Funeral services for Dr. Mary Ann Neff Shaw, 87, will be held at 10:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Jordan St., Shreveport, Louisiana on Saturday, November 22, 2025. A private burial will follow. Officiating the service will be Reverend Julia Nance Farrell. Visitation will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, Louisiana.

Dr. Mary Ann Neff Shaw was the daughter of Mary Virginia and Robert A. Neff, Sr. She attended public schools in Shreveport and graduated from C.E. Byrd High School, where she was an accomplished debater and developed a lifelong love of learning. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Centenary College of Louisiana, her Master of Arts from Louisiana Tech University, and her Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University, where her dissertation focused on Stephen Crane.

Mary Ann began her career in public education, teaching for 12 years before joining the faculty at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, where she served as Professor of English for 22 years. She also taught at Louisiana Tech University and was recognized with the LSU-S Outstanding Faculty Performance Award. A gifted teacher and scholar, she published literary and academic articles and authored a book, Flannery O’Connor: New Perspectives. She also developed a curriculum and taught Old and New Testament courses at LSU-S, reflecting her passion for faith and education.

She was a member of numerous academic, civic, and service organizations. Mary Ann was a 50-year member and past president of Kappa Kappa Gamma, served as president of the Shreveport City Panhellenic, and was faculty advisor for both the English Club and the Baptist Student Union. A dedicated member of the Junior League of Shreveport, she founded a tutoring program at C.E. Byrd High School to help students succeed. She was also a member of Hypatia, the Colonial Dames of America, and was an honorary Life Member of Presbyterian Women. She taught Bible studies in the community and volunteered at the Highland Blessing Dinner. She also earned her Master Gardener Certification.

For more than eighty years, Mary Ann was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Shreveport, where she served as a Deacon, Elder, Sunday School teacher, and women’s circle member. Her faith guided her life, and she found great joy in studying Scripture and encouraging others in their faith journeys.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. B.L. Shaw; her first husband, Clyde R. Minor III; her parents; her stepfather, Hardy O’Neal; her son, Edward Minor; and her sister-in-law, Pam Neff.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Jane Lowder and husband, Charles; her son, Christopher C. Minor; stepdaughter, Stephanie Shaw; grandsons, Charles “Preston” Lowder IV and wife, Sarah, and Dr. James David Lowder and wife, Katie; great-grandchildren, Mary Ellen Lowder, Molly Elizabeth Lowder, Charles “Charlie” Preston Lowder V, Huck Shaw Lowder, Camp James Lowder, and Crew Rustin Lowder, all of Shreveport; her brother, Bob Neff; her sister, Martha Dane and husband, Nathan Dane III, of Little Deer Isle, Maine; and a number of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Mary Ann lived a joyful life devoted to faith, family, and education. She was a devoted wife, caring mother, and loving grandmother and great-grandmother who found great joy in nurturing the minds and hearts of those around her.