Mrs. Martha Shaw “Mott” Leaphart, 68, of 811 Cherry St., Waycross, passed  away early Saturday morning, February 10, 2018, at Hospice Satilla Hospice House in Waycross, with loved ones at her bedside. God called his Angel home. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 5:8

The beautiful Martha “Mott” Shaw Leaphart was born Sept 22, 1949, to the late Viola Shaw and Frank James Shaw. She was raised in love by the late Betty Wisenbaker in Waycross. She was one of seven children, four of which preceded her in death, Burnell Willis, Fred McCloud, Frank Shaw and Euretha Daniels.

She attended schools in the Waycross Public School System and was a 1967 graduate of Center High School. She furthered her studies in Early Childhood Education where she was a devoted teacher at Ware County Head Start for many years.

She accepted Christ in her life at an early age where she attended Shiloh Baptist Church. “Mott” was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend. She demonstrated and instilled the value of family throughout her life’s journey. Her love for others was best expressed through her generous heart and cooking.

She leaves a legacy of love to be celebrated by her beloved husband of 22 years William Leaphart Jr., Waycross; her children, Mechelle Shaw, Nonya Webb (Charles), Dana Shinholster-Gray (Tony) and Shana Shinholster; step-children: Craig Leaphart, Dana Leaphart-Sanders (Alfred), Andre Leaphart and Joe Butler; a brother, Gerald Willis (Juanita); a sister, Joyce Willis; special niece, Wyvonia Smith; grandchildren Jauron Snead, Lyric Whitfield, Jordan Shaw, Taelyn Rowden, Bryson Gray, Ciara Leaphart, Angel Savage, Madeline Leaphart, Alexis Leaphart, Destiny Leaphart and Phaltiel Leaphart; great-grandchild, Ava Frierson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A night of accolades open to the public will be held  from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, 1085 Ossie Davis Parkway, Waycross.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, from the Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church. The Rev. Roshelle McCrae, pastor, will deliver words of comfort.

Interment will follow in the Oakland Cemetery.

She will lie in state from 2 p.m. until the hour of the funeral Saturday.

The cortege will assemble at 2:15 p.m. Saturday at the home.

Final and most sacred arrangements are entrusted to the professional care of Rainge Memorial Chapel, Inc.