SON……HUSBAND……FATHER….
Reverend Doctor James Benjamin Sharp left his earthly home on March 30, 2021, two months after saying goodbye to his wife of 73 years, Laura Goldie Althea Scott Sharp.
Son:
Rev. Dr. James B. Sharp was born on January 17, 1925 to Bennie and Emma Sharp. While growing up on a farm in Harrellsville, North Carolina. ‘Buddy B.,’ as he was affectionately called, attended Calvin S. Brown High School in Winton, North Carolina.
Becoming a Husband and Father:
He met the love of his life, Laura Goldie Althea Scott a few years after high school. They married at the Scott family home after she graduated in December of 1947. Their union produced three children, Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Ronny Darnell Sharp, Jerome Alesandro Sharp and Angela Felicia Sharp.
Becoming a Faithful Servant:
Prior to heeding God’s call, he worked at the Norfolk Naval Base. When his uncle, Reverend Lamar Sharp retired from Olive Branch Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1963, the younger Rev. Sharp was elected as the Church’s sixth pastor in its history.
Pastor:
Under his leadership, two sons were licensed to preach the gospel: the Reverend Lester Potts in 1976 and the Reverend Franklin R. Williams in 1984 who was ordained in September of 1987. Three deacons were also ordained and nine trustees were certified during Pastor Sharp’s 37-1/2 year era. His work did not go unnoticed. As a Doctor of Divinity, an honorary degree was bestowed upon him by the Union Christian Bible Institute, Incorporated on June 14, 1987. Rev. Dr. Sharp was applauded for his work in the community and at his church. As one hymn says, his work spoke for him: renovation, bricking and enlargement of the church, including an Education Building erected in his honor in July of 1987; installation of an indoor baptismal pool; purchase of new furniture, organ, piano, modern office equipment, and business machines; also the Transportation Ministry was launched and a school bus was purchased. The Christian Education Committee was established. Church membership was divided into auxiliaries and committees that continue to support the work of the church body. Members began delving into God’s word during a monthly Bible Study. In May of 1988, they celebrated the laying of cornerstones. Through the years, Olive Branch Baptist Church has been a rock for those far and near, giving to Haitian Missions, providing local Thanksgiving donations and food baskets, as well as financial and spiritual assistance to its own church members and the community. The church united with other Christians under his leadership such as the kindred spirits in the Baptist General Convention, Rappahannock Sunday School and the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Missions.
Becoming Pastor Emeritus:
Rev. Dr. Sharp retired on December 31, 2000 after leading the congregation for 37 years and five months. Olive Branch granted him the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus.
Rev. Dr. Sharp leaves to cherish his memories his sons, Ronny Sharp (Patsy), Jerome Sharp, Angela Sharp, and Robert Howard (Naomi); grandchildren, Bernetta, Michelle, Rodney, Raina, Brandi, RonnyJr. (LaShawnda) and Ashley; great-grandchildren, Bevan, Kayla, Jewel and Christian; brother-in-law Carroll W. Braxton (Brax); sister-in-law Myrtle Dublin and brother-in-law Herb Dublin; sister-in-law Gloria Scott; and a host of loving nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, neighbors and Christian friends.
“Well done, thy good and faithful servant”…..Matthew 25:23
Condolences(17)-
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Pell Seaton says
April 9, 2021 at 3:08 pmMy deepest condolences to the family. Rev. and Mrs. Sharp were good friends with my parents, James and Minnie Seaton. I know there is some conversations going on about the goodness of the Lord right about now! May your memories of good times sustain you during difficult times. God bless!🙏🏽💐
Rev. Dr. James Edwards, lll says
April 11, 2021 at 10:44 amMy wife, Rev. Dee and I offer our sincere condolences to the family of our friend and cohort in the ministry Pastor Sharp. I met brother Sharp in 1983 when I joined the Tidewater Baptist Ministers’ Conference of VA. He was an active and faithful member for many years so truly we shall miss him, his spirit and sharp dressing. So rest in peace Pastor JB for a job well done.
Rev. Dr. James Edwards , lll
54th. President of TMBMCV
Rev. La Frenchie Johnson says
April 11, 2021 at 12:01 pmMy deepest and sincere condolences go out to the family. While being a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church he always had word of encouragement to say to me. He was a true mentor. R. I. P. you will be missed.
Elder Jonathan Powell says
April 12, 2021 at 7:04 amTo Jerome, Angie, and Ronnie,
My prayers and condolences are extended to you. As a member of Olive Branch your father was a part of many great memories. From the J.B. Sharp Mass choir concerts, our OBBC children’s choir album, VBS cook outs, the expansion of the church and parking lot, the Lott Carey trips to Shaw U, and the church’s investment in graduates of a savings bond and personalized bible to name a few, demonstrate the vision and life time touch your dad had.
Rev. Diann M. Beard says
April 12, 2021 at 9:13 amTo the family of Pastor James B. Sharp, the Beard family offer our sincere condolence and sympathy for your loss. He was a great part of our spiritual life…baby dedications, baptisms, hospital/ sickness visits, marriages, deaths/burials and most important leading some family members to Christ. We will miss his presence but his memory will live on. God bless you Angela, Ronny and Jerome.
Tanya Beard Piersawl says
April 12, 2021 at 9:40 amMy prayers are with your family. I thank the Lord for allowing Paster Sharp to be such a big part of my life. He baptized me and my children, married me to my husband now of 26 years and always available for guidance. We will miss you dearly but never ever forget you Paster Sharp! Love you Always.
Alisa D. Brawley says
April 12, 2021 at 2:50 pmMy sincerest condolences to Jerome and the entire Sharp Family. Reverend Sharp, A Life lived to the fullest you touched many lives.
1st Timothy 6:18-19. “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Your work on earth is done. May you now rest in heavenly peace.
Ivy Bond says
April 12, 2021 at 3:27 pmThis is so hard, You were my first pastor at Olive Branch Baptist Church, you were like father to me. Pastor Sharpe I give God praises for allowing me to meet you and to learn more about God through you. Always and forever I thank God for you being apart of my life, I will always considered you as my Godfather. I will miss you so much. Rest in Heaven.
My prayers are with the Sharpe Family.
Lisa Felton Copeland says
April 12, 2021 at 4:52 pmRonny, Jerome and Angie, you all have always been a part of the Felton family. I remember the days of you all being at our home . Pastor Sharp dedicated, baptized and married me. My husband and I were even blessed to have Pastor Sharp dedicate our children and Bless our homes. He and Sam would always joke and laugh we they saw each other or talked on the phone. None other than like a second father to all of us and a blessing to all he encountered. Our hearts and prayers are with all of you and much continued Love to you and your families. Pastor Sharp was the perfect illustration of “ May the work I’ve done speak for me”!
Rest in Paradise Daddy Sharp, we will never forget you or that beautiful heart and smile of yours. 🙏🏾💔
Jackie Freeman says
April 12, 2021 at 9:13 pmTo family of Rev.Sharp I was bless to known Rev. andMrs.Sharp my grandmother Frances Holley was a member and served under Rev. Sharp leadership and celebrated my grandmother’s birthday at home and church along with his beautiful wife I know they are praising God
Warner and Deloris Griffin says
April 13, 2021 at 9:36 amTo the Sharp family:
Rev. Sharp was a very humble pastor. I Deloris, a member of Morning Star Baptist Church in Virginia Beach met Rev. Sharp through our yearly fellowship, with my pastor Rev. C. H. Williams. the two pastors had a wonderful relationship. We will miss Rev. Sharp, but God makes no mistakes. Continue to pray for strength and God will do the rest.
charles & Barbara Williams says
April 13, 2021 at 2:18 pmTo the Sharp family. our sincere condolence to you, Pastor Sharp was a wonderful man who truly love his church and it’s members, I will miss ridding by his home and seeing him out in the yard, some time I would stop just to say hello, pastor Sharp always had a word of encouragement. I pray for the family strength.
Elder Charles and Barbara Williams
Estherine J. Harding, West Munden Community, NSU alumna and Retiree says
April 13, 2021 at 8:27 pmI offer my deepest sympathy and prayers to the family of Rev. Dr. James B. Sharp. Dr. and Mrs. Sharp often visited First Baptist Church West Munden, 1541 Lyons Avenue, Chesapeake, VA 23324 after retiring as pastor. They were so dynamic!
Then often, Dr. Sharp would shop at the community Food Lion and we had opportunity to greet each other. This truly saddens my heart; however, I know both have been received into the heavens where they have received rich rewards for the awesome works that they did serving mankind and uplifting the name of Jesus Christ. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Tracey Jefferson says
April 14, 2021 at 9:48 pmTo the family of Pastor James B. Sharp, I want to offer my sincere condolences and sympathy for your loss. I remember Pastor Sharp’s famous word “Sweethearts” and his passion for prayer. He was a Wonderful & Caring person and I am so glad to have had him my life. To the family, I also pray your strength, tearfully, I will never forget Pastor and Mrs. Sharp, Rest In Peace “Sweethearts”!!
Jean Martin-Walker says
April 15, 2021 at 9:32 amMy sincere condolences to the family of Reverend Sharp. He and his wife, Mrs. Goldie, were people of stellar faith and lived lives of love and care for family, friends, neighbors, and parishioners. Rest In Peace.
Rufus Watkins says
April 16, 2021 at 3:07 pmour sincere condolence to to the family of Rev Sharp and , we were old members many years ago but loved Pastor Sharp.my mother in law mrs Ella Potts introduced us to Olive Branch.Baptist were I served as Trustee
Joanne Claggion Adams says
May 23, 2021 at 5:26 amMy sincere condolences to Jerome A. Sharp and siblings. I hope it brings you a bit of comfort knowing that your father touched the lives of SO many and that he lives on in our hearts. Your father’s guiding hand will remain on your shoulders forever. God bless you all. 🙏🏽
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