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Pastor James B. Sharp


Sunrise: January 17, 1925

Sunset: March 30, 2021

SON……HUSBAND……FATHER…...FAITHFUL SERVANT……PASTOR EMERITUS 

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

Viewing Monday, April 12, 2021 2:00pm - 6:00pm Metropolitan Funeral Service 5605 Portsmouth Boulevard Portsmouth, VA 23701 Service Tuesday, April 13, 2021 12:00pm Olive Branch Baptist Church 2608 Airline Boulevard Portsmouth, VA 23701 Entombment Roosevelt Memorial Park 1101 Campostella Road Chesapeake, VA 23320 The family is following the CDC and State of Virginia guidelines for funeral attendance.

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Condolences(17)

  1. reply
    Pell Seaton says

    My 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!🙏🏽💐

  2. reply
    Rev. Dr. James Edwards, lll says

    My 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

  3. reply
    Rev. La Frenchie Johnson says

    My 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.

  4. reply
    Elder Jonathan Powell says

    To 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.

  5. reply
    Rev. Diann M. Beard says

    To 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.

  6. reply
    Tanya Beard Piersawl says

    My 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.

  7. reply
    Alisa D. Brawley says

    My 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.

  8. reply
    Ivy Bond says

    This 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.

  9. reply
    Lisa Felton Copeland says

    Ronny, 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. 🙏🏾💔

  10. reply
    Jackie Freeman says

    To 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

  11. reply
    Warner and Deloris Griffin says

    To 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.

  12. reply
    charles & Barbara Williams says

    To 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

  13. reply
    Estherine J. Harding, West Munden Community, NSU alumna and Retiree says

    I 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!

  14. reply
    Tracey Jefferson says

    To 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”!!

  15. reply
    Jean Martin-Walker says

    My 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.

  16. reply
    Rufus Watkins says

    our 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

  17. reply
    Joanne Claggion Adams says

    My 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. 🙏🏽

Leave a Reply to Estherine J. Harding, West Munden Community, NSU alumna and Retiree Cancel reply

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