Rashunda Yvette Shaw, affectionately known as "Shun," departed this life on April 25, 2026, in Gulfport, Mississippi, after a peaceful passing that came as a gentle closing chapter to a life deeply cherished by many. Born on January 15, 1976, in the heart of Hattiesburg, MS, Rashunda’s journey through life was marked by a fierce devotion to her family and community—a devotion that remains an enduring beacon of her spirit.

To know Shun was to embrace her vibrancy; she was a woman who loved loudly and lived fully. A pillar of strength and unity, she held her family tightly, the glue that kept hearts bound across miles and challenges. She was fiercely protective and deeply loving—a mother who adored her children, a grandmother whose joy was found in the laughter and footsteps of her grandbabies, and a wife whose unwavering love for her husband, Johnny Lee Shaw, was evident to all who knew them together. Rashunda’s voice was outspoken, her wit razor-sharp, and her humor a light that brightened every room she entered. She was profoundly "VERY BIG ON FAMILY," a mantra she lived every day, fiercely championing the Dennis compound with a passion that echoed through the lives she touched.

Shun’s culinary gifts were legendary; it is said that she would feed a whole community if she needed to, an expression of her boundless generosity and care. To have Rashunda in your life was indeed a true blessing—she gave endlessly and loved unconditionally. Among those who carry her legacy forward are her beloved children, Kayla Dennis, Aasha Dennis, JaZoin Dennis, Don Howze, and Makinah Dennis, who each reflect a part of her heart. Her grandchildren—Brayden McCray, Mar’kiyah McGee, D’Landin Johnson, and Ai’kyla Hartzog—will forever carry her warmth and spirit forward into the generations to come.

Her family circle was wide and cherished, full of vibrant souls who were a testament to her life’s work. Rashunda’s mother, Marilyn Dennis, remains a living part of her world, as do her siblings: Jennifer Dennis, Lalinda Dennis, John Russell Dennis, Jr., Chaviss Jones, Joseph Land, Broderick Jones, Carlos Jordan, and Monica Wash. Special aunts Weornathia Land and Dovana White and special cousin Kaenikia Goff were also treasured members of her cherished circle. Nieces and nephews including Timira Dennis, Kyrian Dennis, Deriquez Dennis, Tioajah Dennis, Waltez Graham, and Lucinda Graham (LucyPearl) remember her vividly, alongside a vast network of family and friends who carried her in their hearts.

Rashunda’s passing also marks the solemn remembrance of those she now joins—her father, John Russell Dennis, Sr.; her brothers, Rodriquez Dennis and Marcus Jordan; her grandmother, Allien White; and her son-in-law, Thomas Johnson—whose memories intertwine with hers in the tapestry of family history.

A woman of sharp contrasts and warm embraces, Rashunda was known for her lively debates, particularly those playful spats with “that Jenny Mae,” showing a spirited side that only added to the breadth of her character. She was the best sister any could wish for, and her life’s tapestry is threaded with love, laughter, argument, and an unyielding devotion to kin.

Friends and family are invited to gather in her honor for a visitation at Shekinah Glory Baptist Church, 407 East Hatten Avenue, Wiggins, MS, on May 8, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. the same day in the same sacred place, leading afterward to a graveside service at Bond Cemetery on Hickman Road, Wiggins, MS, at 2:30 p.m. These moments will offer all who loved her the chance to celebrate her remarkable life, to feel again the warmth of her spirit, and to find solace in the strength she so generously shared.

Rashunda Yvette Shaw’s life was a brilliant flame, a force of nature who loved her family beyond measure and brought joy and sustenance to her community. She leaves behind an indelible legacy marked by love, liveliness, and loyalty—an enduring light that will continue to shine in all who were fortunate enough to call her “Shun.”

Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve Shaw/Dennis family and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during the days to come.