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University of North Carolina University of South Carolina

FUNERAL HOME

J. Henry Stuhr Downtown Chapel

232 Calhoun Street

Charleston, South Carolina

Kathryn Sharpe Obituary

Kathryn "Kaye" Moye Sharpe CHARLESTON - Kathryn Moye Sharpe, Ph.D., of Charleston died on October 5, 2009, surrounded by friends and family. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William H. Sharpe, Sr.; two sons, William H. Sharpe, Jr., and Mark S. Sharpe; her daughter-in-law, Charlotte A. Sharpe; her sister-in-law, Roena Smith Moye of Tucker, Georgia; and six grandchildren, Camryn Danielle Sharpe, William H. Sharpe, III, Hayle Kathryn Sharpe, and Harper Danielle Sharpe. Dr. Sharpe was born November 27, 1922 in the Barnesville, Georgia community known as Redbone. She was the daughter of the late Herbert Johnston Moye and Henri Winter Moye. She was preceded in death by her brother, Herbert Johnson Moye, Jr. Kaye was a lifelong member of the Congregational Church, having grown up in the Fredonia Congregational Church in Barnesville, Georgia, and thereafter attending the Circular Congregational Church for over 60 years. She was a devoted member of Circular Church, where she was a lifetime deacon and served as its first woman president. She was active in the civil rights movement and, together with her husband, Bill, led the fight to integrate the church in the 1960s. She graduated from Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia in 1942. After graduating from Piedmont, she taught school at the Chambers County High School in Milltown, Alabama. She moved to Charleston in June of 1943, when she accepted a job at Circular Congregational Church as a social worker. She remained a resident of Charleston thereafter. She had a lifelong love of tennis, and met her husband Bill on the tennis court at Piedmont College. They had been married 63 years at the time of her death. She received a Master's degree in 1947 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a double major in counseling and guidance, with an emphasis on marriage and family, and sociology. Her husband Bill attended UNC with her, and obtained a Master's degree at the same time. After graduating from UNC, she and Bill returned to Charleston, where both began long careers in education. She taught high school and served as a guidance counselor for many years in the Charleston area schools. In 1966, she became a professor at Charleston Southern University (then known as Baptist College at Charleston). In addition to teaching English, she founded and taught in the Sociology Department. She remained at Charleston Southern for 22 years, retiring in 1988. The University maintains a scholarship in her name. While teaching at Charleston Southern, she obtained a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in counseling psychology, and became a licensed psychologist, specializing in marriage and family therapy. She began her counseling career at the counseling center sponsored by Circular Congregational Church, and thereafter maintained an active private practice. She was one of the first psychologists approved to provide supervision for counselors undergoing training to become licensed counselors, and served on the State licensing board for professional counselors and marriage and family therapists. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and friend. As we grieve her loss to us, who could not also breathe a prayer of thanks to God for a life that gave so much grace, humor, and support to her family, her church, her professional community, and her wide circle of friends. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Sharpe, Sr. are invited to attend the funeral services of the latter, Thursday, October 8, 2009 at eleven o'clock in Circular Congregational Church. Interment, Churchyard. Friends may call at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, Wednesday between five and seven o'clock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier on Oct. 7, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Kathryn Sharpe

25 Entries

Carol Conner

October 15, 2009

Bill Sharpe, you and Kaye were such great friends to my mom and dad-Mitch and Edith Disney. I am very sorry to hear of your loss.

Sherry Martschink

October 13, 2009

To Bill and Family,
Your mother was so respected and liked. She contributed so very much to the community. Many years ago - back in the 70s - she and I went to the same beauty salon. I'm sure she was so proud of you.
I hope you have many wonderful times to remember her by -- and to smile as you remember.

Amelia & Phil Gaillard

October 13, 2009

While our hearts & prayers of condolence go out to Mrs. Sharpe's family we also celebrate her full & amazing life of service & love. Hers was a life well lived & she will remain an inspiration to many, many people. Bill, you know how much your folks have meant to us all these years. May the good Lord grant you all peace & may her legacy continue through you, Mark, the grands & many generations to come. much love, many blessings, Phil & Amelia

October 11, 2009

Dear Bill and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Even though we did not know your mother, we know by the way you talked about her she was a great mother.
It is very hard to lose your mother.
We watch you every night so keep up the good work.
God Bless you and your family
Pattie and Jim Kelly

Sandra Mazyck-Christopher

October 10, 2009

To Bill Sharpe and family,
I remembered your mother at Baptist College. She did not teach me, but seeing her and hearing of her through my advisors at the college encouragred me to pursue the counseling field. I have enjoyed and continues to enjoy what I do in the field of counseling. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

James Boyd

October 9, 2009

I met Mrs. Sharpe when I was a student at Hanahan High in the late 50s and early 60s. I can truthfully say I've never met a nicer lady. It was a joy to know her, and I've never forgotten her.

It's no surprise that she had a positive impact on a lot of lives.

Please accept my condolences, and may God's comfort be with all of you.

Robert & Pamela Priore

October 9, 2009

Bill, we just learned of your mom's passing. Losing one's mom leaves such a hole in one's heart. May you be comforted by your family and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time, Robert and Pamela Priore

October 9, 2009

Bill, I'm sorry I couldn't get to your mom's funeral. I remember her well. I still miss my mom and know you will also. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim Ratledge

Lindy McCall

October 8, 2009

Kaye Sharpe had been a highly respected name in the therapeutic community long before I sought her services. Being a counselor myself, it was important to me to seek someone "older and wiser". She helped me so much in her unique, loving way, by gently leading me to see and to reveal my true nature. I have been, and will continue to be, ever grateful to her. She remains an inspiration. What a joy to have known her!

October 8, 2009

I met Kaye when I was a "senior" student in counseling at The Citadel. She made a great impression on me. I savored every class that I had her for an instructor. She was a wonderful person and will be truely missed. My sympathies go out to all of her family.
Irene Smith

October 8, 2009

I only had an opportunity to know her as "Grandma Sharpe". I was one of the nurses that took care of her grandson for several months in the Intensive Care Nursery and had the pleasure of meeting her upon William III's arrival home several months later. Her grandchildren put a smile on her face. I know the angels are helping her watch over them. Gail Weatherbee

Martha Knight

October 8, 2009

I remember Mrs. Sharpe so fondly ... I had her for study hall in the 11th grade at North Charleston High School. I was having some difficulty learning Geometry, and she permitted two guys to tutor me "quietly" until I got the hang of that subject. When I reacted that I had finally understood a problem, she would give a gentle smile as if knowing that a light had just come on in the process of learning. If it hadn't been for that time in study hall, I might not have eventually done so well in that subject.

What a neat lady!

Lloyd Weeks

October 8, 2009

Bill, so very sorry to hear about Kathryn. I know how hard it must be. You and family are in my prayers. Always enjoyed your support and friendship at Cross Seed.

Carolyn and Eddie Jones

October 8, 2009

Bill and family, Eddie and I send our condolences in the death of your dear mother. Mrs, Sharpe was my 8th-grade English teacher at St. Andrews High when she was also expecting you, Bill!! In later years, both Eddie and I worked as coach and teacher with your mother at Hanahan High School. She was an excellent teacher and person who will be missed.

Sincerely,
Carolyn C. and Eddie Jones
Salem, SC

Jennifer Coleman

October 8, 2009

Decades ago, Kay was a mentor to my mom, Eve Coleman, at the Baptist College, and became a family friend and confidant. She was part of such a warm, wonderful, kind family. I know she was a huge comfort to my mom when she was losing her life to breast cancer. I was last in touch just over a year ago, to share the good news that I was getting married. It was wonderful to speak to her again, and share that with her. Kay was beautiful, kind, sweet, and loving. I feel special to have known her then, and remember her now.

Sara Crawford Gardner

October 8, 2009

Kathryn Sharpe was counselor my senior year in high school. She had the most calming effect on me as I edited the school yearbook. She very gently suggested I would get more cooperation with honey than with vinegar and that change my outlook on life. I can honestly say I roll with the punches life has given me and she is a large part of it. Between her and my dad Wallace Crawford I learned to control a temper that was too quick - a lesson all should learn. I am sorry to hear of her passing but I am sure of which way she went! She was a wonderful person.

Anne Hochreiter

October 8, 2009

Mrs Sharpe was one of a kind. We loved her at HHS. She was so nice to us as children when we were going through high school and beyond. We were lucky to share in her life.

Donna Petrowski

October 7, 2009

Bill,
So sorry for your loss.

Doris Hughey

October 7, 2009

Kathryn Sharpe was my Family Life teacher at Chicora High School. She was loved by all the students and will always be remembered as one of the favorite ones. The kind that you never forget. My sympathy is extended to all of her family. She was special.

dorothy mccoy

October 7, 2009

I was blessed; I was one of "Kaye's counselors." For over ten years I drove 70 miles on Thursdays to meet with other newby therapists, to learn from the very best--Kaye Sharpe. With wisdom and a wry sense of humor she taught and inspired us to give our best. I cannot imagine the world without her.
Dorothy McCoy

October 7, 2009

To Bill Sharpe and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.

Lynn Benasutti

October 7, 2009

She was a very special & kind soul who truly made the world a better place. She will always have a special place in my heart!

October 7, 2009

My prayers are with your family. I only met her one time, and I thought she was a remarkable and gracious woman.
Pam Johnson

Susan Styles

October 7, 2009

Kaye was a lovely lady--a good friend and a wise counselor to so many. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Glenn Segars

October 7, 2009

Please accept my deepest sympathies. She was my high school guidance counselor in the 1960s and one of the greatest southern ladies that you could have ever met. The world is less bright today with her passing.

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