Ruth Sharp

SIKESTON - Ruth Inez Felker Sharp, 92, died March 29, 2006, at her home.

Born October 21, 1913, in Sikeston, daughter of the late C. E. "Daddy" and Bertie Utterback Felker, she lived her entire life in Sikeston except for two years in Poplar Bluff during World War II. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, having joined that congregation seventy years ago.

On Easter Sunday, April 21, 1935, she married H. Garwood Sharp, Jr, who preceded her in death July 14, 1994.

Her surviving family includes her son, Harry G. Sharp, III and his wife Anita; one grandson, Harry G. "Woody" Sharp, IV and his wife Angela; three great-

grandchildren Sarah, Eric, and Crystal Sharp all of Sikeston; two step-

grandchildren, Timothy Morgan and Karen Lynn Davis of Georgia; special relations Noel and Rowena David of Memphis, Tennessee, and Anya Logvinova of Moscow, Russia; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, two younger brothers preceded her in death; Clarence Edward Felker, Jr. and John Russell Felker, who both served in World War II.

Ruth was a charter member of the Red Peppers and 1931 graduate of Sikeston High School. She attended Christian College in Columbia and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

At First United Methodist Church Ruth was Nursery Home Visitor 1945-1993, member of the Administrative Board, a primary editor of the church history, recipient of the M. G. and Myra Joyce Award, and active in church school and circles.

Her community activities included being a member and past president of P.E.O. Chapter HB, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, Park Board Secretary, first president of original Beta Sigma Phi chapter in Sikeston, Civic Club, charter member of the Friday Morning Prayer Group, Community Concert Association, Cotton Boll Artists Group, Library Board, and Volunteer in the American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery program. Ruth has provided broad support of her community and her church. That includes a lead gift that helped create SAHEC, endowed scholarships for SHS graduating seniors, endowed scholarships to United Methodist camps, major support of the Depot Museum, and the ongoing Garwood and Ruth Felker Sharp Community Outreach Fund.

The 1960 portrait she chose for this obituary is tied to one of those activities, that being Reach for Recovery. This picture was taken the year after a close brush with death from cancer, but her life, her activities, and her 47 years of surviving cancer have been a beacon of hope for many.

Visitation is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. today at the Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Dr. Russ Felker, Tony Heckemeyer, Jerome Hulehan, Terry Nowell, David Palmer and Darrell Williams.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Charles Mitchell of Malden and the members of her Pot Luck Club who have dined together for the last 60 years: Vinita Kirk, Joe and Jean McCord, P.J. and Evelyn Ponder, Winnie Sidwell, and Jack Yount.

- - -

Memorial Contributions may be sent to:

First United Methodist Church 1307 North Main Street Sikeston, MO 63801-0682

or

American Cancer Society P.O. Box 343 Sikeston, MO 63801-0343

Paid obituary