Shaw Carter

Shaw Malcolm Carter, 24, passed away on August 8th, 2017, in Athens, Georgia.  Shaw was born on January 1st, 1993, in Atlanta, Georgia.  Born with a congenital heart defect, Shaw led a courageous life of faith, humor, hope, and optimism.

He was an honor graduate from Gainesville High School where he used his large personality and oratory gifts to perform in numerous theatre productions.  Shaw was a two-time state champion in Dramatic Interpretation and State One Act.

Mr. Carter earned a full academic scholarship to Young Harris College and graduated Magna Cum Laude May, 2016.  He was a member and past president of the Spat Club, Honor Council Member, Student Government Senator, member of Alpha Omega fraternity, and was an Alumni Ambassador.  At graduation, he was awarded with the Spirit of Young Harris Award,

On December 31st, 2013, Shaw received the ultimate gift of a donated heart.  The transplant also led to a battle with post-transplant lymphoma, but Shaw also fought this battle and was healed.  Mr. Carter continued his education at the University of Georgia where he was preparing to start his second year in the Master of Public Administration program.  He was working as a graduate assistant at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. This summer he interned with the Foundation of Athens Regional Medical Center.

Shaw also had wonderful summer experiences. He interned with Northeast Georgia Health System, with Dominguez Jones Wealth Management Group, and Summer & Summer attorneys.  He had his own computer consulting service and built his own computer.  His parents and friends needed this technology assistance constantly!  Shaw volunteered over 200 hours for Mended Hearts at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, worked with the Heart Association, served as the Honorary Patient for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Hope and Will Ball, and mentored to pediatric cardiology patients.  Shaw had just served as a counselor for Children’s Health Care of Atlanta’s, Camp Independence, which is a camp for young organ recipients.

Mr. Carter loved playing World of Warcraft, cherished his days of eating lunch at “the table” at the Coffee Shop, perfected the art of sparring with his sister, and loved his Australian shepherd, Bauer.  Shaw Carter lived each minute of each day of his life.  He made a better person of each of us who had the joy of his friendship, humor, and love.

Shaw is survived by his sister Lauren Carter, parents Sandy and Doug Carter, grandparents Malcolm and Anne McCormick of Flat Rock, NC, and grandparents Don and Lucile Carter of Gainesville.  His memory will live on with everyone who had the joy of his friendship.

Mr. Carter was a lifelong member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church.  The family suggests memorials be made to the Shaw Carter Fund at Young Harris college. Memorials can be made by visiting YHC.edu/giving or by mail: Young Harris College Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 275, Young Harris, Georgia, 30582.  Also, in his memory, please become an organ donor.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Monday August 14, 2017 at the Gainesville First United Methodist Church.  Rev. Wendy Cordova, Dr. Don Harp and Rev. Scott Hearn will officiate.  A reception will be held in the Great Room at the church after the service.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.