Jane Allen Carl

Jane Allen Sharpe Carl, 95, daughter of the late Lewis Houston Allen and Catherine Jones Allen, died peacefully in her sleep on July 4, 2024. Jane was raised in Memphis, Tennessee. A 1947 graduate of Central High School, she entered Memphis State University (now The University of Memphis). She interrupted her education to raise her family, then returned to Memphis State in the early 1970s to complete her undergraduate degree. When her children were grown, she earned a Masters degree in library science from Vanderbilt University. Jane was particularly proud of her role in the 1963 founding of Robert F. Sharpe and Co., with her husband, Bob Sharpe. After earning her graduate degree, she worked for MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) where she was the food pantry coordinator. Jane and Bob's faith in God, combined with their deeply held belief in helping others, guided their philanthropic support of many charitable organizations including MIFA, Church Health and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. They also sought to provide educational opportunities for others, which led them to fund the Sharpe Planetarium at the Pink Palace Museum and establish the Sharpe Community Scholars program at the College of William & Mary. Jane served as a member of the board of directors of Memphis Museums, Inc. and MIFA. She was a dedicated volunteer at the Memphis Public Library and helped establish the library at The Village at Germantown. Jane was steadfastly devoted to her family and friends. She lived by example her deeply held Christian faith and believed in helping others according to Jesus' teaching that whatever you do to the least of these you do unto me.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Robert Faye Sharpe, Sr., her second husband, Robert Davis Carl, and her son, Robert Faye Sharpe, Jr. She is survived by her children, Susan Sharpe Hedge (Dwight), Paul Allen Sharpe (Beverly) and Timothy David Sharpe (Alison Quin) as well as her sisters, Dorothy "Dot" Williams (Grady) of Nashville, Tennessee and Carolyn Seaver of Wilmington, Delaware. Her sister, Ann Morgan, of Athens, Georgia, died hours after Jane, also on July 4. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Paul Dwight Hedge (Denise), Emily Houston Sharpe (Cate Scruggs), Justin Massey Sharpe, Laura Jane Hedge, Hunter Hillman Sharpe, Elizabeth Sharpe Zanca (Peter), Rosemary Sharpe Messerschmidt (Ted), Grayson Gates Sharpe (Jessica Mezzanotte), Colin Quin Sharpe (Sarah Shultz), Mary Catherine Sharpe Smart, Elliana Grace Palmer and Virginia Sharpe Smart, as well as eight great grandchildren. She treasured her relationships with many nieces and nephews. The family is grateful to Irma Barber for her love, friendship and care of Jane, who considered Irma family. Jane remained close with and is also survived by daughters-in-law, Anne McCormick Covington, Catherine Cabaniss Smart and Donna Ernsting Mercier. A resident of The Village at Germantown for the last 18 years, Jane cherished her friendships with fellow residents and staff members. Her family extends their gratitude for the care and kindness of the Village staff.

Visitation will be held in the chapel at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Saturday, August 24 at 12:00, and a memorial service will immediately follow at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association), Church Health or a charitable organization of the donor's choice.