Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Barbara Lois Wilson Sharp was born in Guthrie-Fairbanks, LA, September 3, 1932, to her parents Phillip and Christel Jones Wilson. Barbara was raised and baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church, where Pastor Rev. Felix Thompson was the leader. After the death of her father in 1947, her family relocated to the Wilson-Burton Family Estate on Highway 165 North. The family united with Evening Star Baptist Church, where Pastor James Chamberlain was the leader. She was active in Sunday School, choir, and leader of the Sunshine Band.

Barb, as she was affectionately known, was an honor student and served as class president of her graduating class from Sterlington High School in 1950. She followed her mother, brothers, and sisters, and attended Grambling State University. She graduated from GSU with honors in 1954. After graduating from college, she accepted her first teaching job in Pelican, Louisiana. After completing one year of formal teaching, she departed the classroom to marry the love of her life, James Sharp Jr., a young attorney from Richwood, Louisiana. To this union, four sons and one daughter were born. She became a stay-at-home mom and loved nurturing and teaching her children Christian values. After marriage, she joined her husband with membership at Zion Traveler Baptist Church, where Rev. Christopher Van Rodgers was pastor. She was a faithful member of Zion Traveler for over 60 years. She taught children's Sunday School, was a youth superintendent, and served as president of the Senior Mission Circle until her health began to fade.

She owned and operated her own thrift store, Old But New for You, which was a reflection of her sincere and caring heart for helping others. One of her favorite songs was "Stand by Your Man", which she often played to encourage her husband, who faced opposition in his fight for equality for Blacks in the 1960s.

She went on to become a community activist, serving on the Ouachita Parish Police Jury and as a commissioner in parish elections for over 25 years. In this role, she assumed many responsibilities but really delighted in the upkeep and maintenance of the Berg Jones Lane Cemetary.

Mrs. Sharp was preceded in death by her husband, James Sharp Jr., step-son, Eldon Kent, her parents, three sisters (Etheldra Wilson, Vernetta Hope Caldwell, and Blanche Brown), and four brothers (Oliver Wendell Wilson, Charles Phillip Wilson, Johnny Miles Wilson, and Cecil Elmore Wilson).

Barbara Lois Wilson Sharp

She leaves to mourn her memory one dedicated and loving daughter, Etheldra Christel Sharp; four sons, retired District Judge, Carl V. Sharp (Betty Rose Henderson Sharp), Alvin R. Sharp (Ronda Smith Sharp), Cecil Sharp, and Monti Sharp; two cherished siblings Wilson Warren Wilson (Georgia Ann Murphy Wilson), and Christel Yvonne Fontenot both of Monroe, LA; beloved grandchildren - Amanda Rea Sharp-Williams, James Robert Sharp, Marcus Xavier Adams, Chandler James Sharp, Christopher James Sharp, and Peyton Immanuel Sharp; and two lifelong sisters in Christ who were closer than natural sisters, Mrs. Margaret Newman and Mrs. Juanita Stokes both of Zion Traveler Baptist Church.

She passed away on May 21, 2020. Her funeral services will be held at Miller Funeral Home in Monroe, Friday, May 29, 2020. Her funeral is by invitation only due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Photo Barbara Lois Wilson Sharp (b/w) pg 1

Photo Barbara Lois Wilson Sharp