Roy Shaw, a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Peoples Bank, passed away Friday at the age of 81.
Known widely to the public as the owner of Shaw’s Seafood Restaurant in Holly Pond, his business ventures extended well past his popular restaurant, which opened in 1976.
After Roy and his wife, Laudine, were the victims of a home robbery in 1976 after taking their restaurant receipts home at night, the idea to open a bank in 1977 in Holly Pond came to his mind. The Peoples Bank of Holly Pond was chartered in 1977.
Shaw turned to his longtime friend Cee Buck Walker, whose initial investment helped capitalize the new bank. Tom Drake, at that time Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, was responsible for the charter process. The bank’s founders and original board of directors were Roy Shaw, Dwight Scott, the town’s mayor, Dane Estes, Tom Drake, and representing Mr. Walker, his son, Alan Walker.
“With Holly Pond having a population of 473 at the time, the idea seemed ludicrous to anyone but Roy,” said Robin Cummings, chief executive officer at Peoples. “Roy had a great vision and knew how to manage money and people. He could see things that others couldn’t.”
Cummings was hired 30 years ago at Peoples and the bank now has some 25 branches in Cullman County and the surrounding area.
Before opening local businesses, Shaw and his brother-in-law, Buddy Whatley, operated a truck stop in Birmingham. After selling the truck stop, Shaw opened a catfish farm in Cullman County and grew the business into a processing and wholesale operation for catfish and seafood. He then opened the restaurant and later founded Oak Trace Lodge, a drug rehabilitation center.
Holly Pond Mayor Herman Nail said Shaw was a tremendous influence in the town because of his willingness to listen to others’ ideas and support new developments.
“He did a lot of good things for our community behind the scenes, because he didn’t want a lot of publicity. He was open to talking and listening to other people, which is always important in leadership,” Nail said. “When he and the other men started Peoples Bank, that was a huge moment for Holly Pond and this entire area of the county. There wasn’t another bank outside of Cullman, so it meant a lot for the residents and doing business in this area.”
Nail said Shaw’s Seafood Restaurant was one of the region’s most popular dining establishments in the region.
“In the first location, people would line up out the door on Saturday nights. There was always a crowd. Minnie Pearl even stopped in one night for supper, which was quite a moment,” Nail said.
Shaw passed away Friday, Dec. 21.
David Palmer may be contacted at dpalmer@cullmantimes.com or 256-734-2131, ext. 213.
Top News
Related Photos
-
Roy Shaw contributed
Discussion
Entrepreneur Roy Shaw remembered as leader with extraordinary vision, business ability
- Top News
-
-
NATION: With 24 dead, officials say Oklahoma survivor search is almost over
The search for survivors and the dead is nearly complete in the Oklahoma City suburb that was smashed by a mammoth tornado, the fire chief said Tuesday.
-
Arrests, incidents reports for Monday, May 20, 2013
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman City Police Department for Monday:
-
Cullman teenager injured in Monday crash
A single vehicle crash left a Cullman teenager injured at 3:20 p.m. on County Road 1141 Monday.
-
Couple honored for work on Clarkson Bridge
It was all Cullman County Parks manager Doug Davenport could do to get Ron and Julie Buker to the Cullman County Commission meeting last week.
-
2 Cullman residents arrested on drug charges, child taken to DHR
Two Cullman residents were arrested on multiple drug-related charges and a child was placed in Department of Human Resource’s care after deputies searched a home on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
-
BREAKING: Cullman Co. Schools' appointed superintendent bill passes
All future superintendents in the Cullman County school system will be appointed, following the last-minute passage of a local bill Monday night in the Alabama legislature.
-
The Times' Morning Update for Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Good morning, readers, this is what's happening in your county today:
-
Huge tornado hits Oklahoma City suburb, kills 51 (UPDATED)
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph.
-
Home, sweet home: U.S. Army Charlie Company returns to Cullman (Updated: With Video)
U.S. Army Capt. Heath Brown has three children, but until Monday afternoon, he’d only met two of them.
-
Arrests, incidents reports for May 17-19, 2013
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman City Police Department for Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
- More Top News Headlines
-
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
