Rena Sharp

Rena Sharp Rena Sharp, 98, passed away Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, in Lubbock. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Wood-Dunning Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Max Browning officiating. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, at Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Rena Mae Doyle was born July 13, 1912, the daughter of William Harvey Doyle and Nora Jane Riggs, in Denton County, Texas. Rena was one of eight children born to the Doyle family. She had one sister, Dena Doyle, and six brothers, Ramon, Cleave W., George Clayton, Robert Ray, Paul Amos and James A. Doyle. All preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and siblings, Rena was preceded in death by her beloved husbands, Vernon Boen, James William Hawkins and Eugene Sharp. Others who preceded her in death were her daughter, Evelene Moore, and two sons, Lloyd Buren and Vernon Kenneth. Rena was a woman of great internal strength. She always displayed a heroine's will when faced with great obstacles. Despite life's hardships, she maintained and displayed a delightful wit and humor. At the age of 19 years, Rena met Vernon Buren Boen. Miss Rena Doyle and Vernon Buren Boen were married in Fisher County on Nov. 23, 1932. Children born to the couple included Evelene Ann, Lloyd Buren, Rosey Mae, June and Vernon Kenneth. All of the children with the exception of Evelene were born in Fisher County where both of Rena and Vernon's sons died. Vernon Buren Boen died May 26, 1946, in Rotan, Texas, in Fisher County. Rena had already suffered more losses than most do in a lifetime; however, despite the fact that she lacked a formal education and was left with three young girls, she managed to hold the family together. Rena later met James William Hawkins, a WWII veteran, when he returned to Rotan after being discharged from the Army. On March 15, 1947, Rena Mae Doyle Boen married James William Hawkins in Fisher County. James William, who often went by J.W. or "Dub," was committed to loving and providing for the girls and Rena. On the day of her father's birthday, a baby girl, Pamela Kay, was born. Tragedy entered Rena's life once more when J.W., while traveling back to the farm, was hit by a fully-loaded grain truck at a farm road intersection. He passed away at the veteran's hospital in Amarillo on Nov. 22, 1968. In order to be close to family members, Rena and Pamela moved to Plainview, Texas. Despite Rena's great loss, she once more found the strength to carry on. Rena's sister, Dena, came to visit her some time later and introduced Rena to her husband's brother, Eugene Sharp. Rena and Babe Sharp married in 1969 in Fisher County. They shared many years together before he died of natural causes. Throughout her life, Rena enjoyed sewing, cooking and music. She loved to dance and always enjoyed family gatherings. She believed in the good Lord; perhaps it was her faith which provided her the strength to continually carry on despite her losses. Rena believed that love made life worth living. "Love is worth the risk," she'd say. She loved and was loved by many during her lifetime. Rena is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Pam and Dicky Miller, June and Charles Nabors and Mrs. Rosey Isbell, all of Plain­view; 18 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; and 40 great-great-grandchildren.