Emma Sharp Obituary

SHARP, Emma COLUMBIA - Emma Mae Livingston Sharp, 72 of Columbia, SC, wife of the late Maj. James L. Sharp, USA died peacefully the morning of November 8, 2008 at the Hospice Center of Charleston with the company of her daughter and son. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at 1:00 pm on Monday, November 10, 2008 at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine Street. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, to be followed by a reception at North Trenholm Baptist Church. Visitation will be at the funeral home Sunday, November 9 from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Sharp was born April 5, 1936 in Newellton, LA, daughter of the late Burley Suber and Annie Mae Livingston. She was a 1958 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and received a Masters Degree in Special Education from the University of South Carolina in 1974. She was a teacher for Richland County School District 2 from 1975 until her retirement in 1998 and taught at Dent Middle School and Richland Northeast High School in Columbia. A 1954 graduate of Moorhead High School in Moorhead, MS, she was a member of the National Honor Society and the cheerleading squad and was the school's 1954 Homecoming Queen. Mrs. Sharp met her future husband while she was a student at Sunflower Junior College where she was a member of the cheerleading squad and sang with the Choraliers. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Elementary Education, she began her career as a third grade teacher at E.M. Boyd Elementary School in Greenville, MS. When her husband's military career led them to locations in the United States and Germany, Mrs. Sharp provided a loving and cheerful home as they raised their three children. Mrs. Sharp is remembered by friends and family for her love of children, her lively sense of humor and for the kindness and patience that sprang from her generous spirit. She devised many inventive games for her children and grandchildren and enjoyed singing, playing the piano, working crossword puzzles and visiting with family and friends. In recent years, she joined the Joyful Seekers Sunday School Class of North Trenholm Baptist Church and enjoyed providing pre-game meals for the Richland Northeast High School football players at the church. Affectionately known as Mimi throughout her life, she was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her older brother Lowell Livingston. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Sharp of Charleston, SC; her sons Lt. Col. Kenneth Sharp, USAF (Ret.) and wife Paula of Niceville, FL and LTC James L. Sharp, USA and wife Wendy of Ft. Mill, SC. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Alex Sharp, Mark Sharp, Melissa Sharp, Christin Sharp, Forrest Sharp, and Andrew Sharp, and two sisters, Mrs. Valda Brown of Shalimar, FL and Mrs. LaCelle Bowen of Jackson, MS. The family would like to thank the caring, professional staff of Hospice of Charleston for their support in Mimi's final days. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Hospice of Charleston Foundation, 676 Wando Park Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 or North Trenholm Baptist Church, 6515 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206. Please sign online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.