The daughter of the late Lewis and Arena Ryles Johnson, Mrs. Shavers was born in Fort Mitchell, Alabama. She was a member of Greater Peace Baptist Church, and was a retired cook. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Shavers, Sr., a son, James, Jr., and one sister, Dorothy Adams.

Surviving are: five sons, Ronald D. Johnson, Donald Johnson, Marvin K. Shavers, Dennis T. Shavers and Bruce Shavers; three daughters, Shirley Shavers (Willie Thomas), Alesia Shavers (Dennis Marshall) and Belinda Spencer; twelve grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren; loving in-laws, Joanne Thomas, Willie M. Baldwin and Winston Shavers (Hattie); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.