Debby Sharp

Debby Sharp

Swannanoa - Debby Dean "Dee" Sharp, innovative designer of over 400 pieces of jewelry, imaginative gallery owner, consummate tea-party hostess, and zealous traveler, passed away at her home in Swannanoa, NC on February 17, 2015, following a three-month battle with acute leukemia. She was 58.

After attending high school in her hometown of Chattanooga, TN, Dee lived with her grandparents in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and attended Instituto Allende. She later attended the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she earned a degree in Political Science in 1980. As part of her studies, she worked for six months in the Washington, DC office of US Congressman Charles Whalen and spent a year abroad in Sáo Paulo, Brazil. During the Brazil year and at UC, she created friendships that would last a lifetime and backpacked through Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. She spoke Spanish and Portuguese, and worked for a time in Atlanta for an import business.

Dee studied her craft at Stewart's International School for Jewelers and the Gemological Institute of America, and spent 33 years creating and selling jewelry in arts and crafts shows and in her galleries. An astute businesswoman with a flair for display, she owned and operated Recollections in Biltmore Village (Asheville) from 2001 to 2006, as well as two current galleries in Black Mountain, Art From The Heart and Mountain Nest.

She met her husband, Stan, also a native Tennessean, through their mutual interest in dancing. Their first date was under a blue moon at a New Year's big band dance event, where, with Dee in culottes and ill-prepared for a Washington winter, they mixed with guests in tuxedos! After a six-month, bicoastal romance, they married and later moved to Fairview, NC to raise their son, Ryan.

Dee's eclectic interests included collecting Humpty Dumpties, decorating, birdwatching, health and spirituality, and connecting with women over tea parties. She enjoyed meaningful conversation, tea, a good hat, a hike, books, and laughter. Dee stayed connected with friends from every era of her life, and in the last few years treasured reconnecting with many dear friends. She orchestrated a get-together prior to a recent high school reunion that was cherished by all who attended.

Dee did not do things halfway. An avid Humpty Dumpty collector, she volunteered a display in her local northern Virginia library that led to an article in the Washington Post, a local-interest spot on a DC TV station, and a magazine spread in Country Collectibles. She created the online "Humpty Dumpty Club of America" when the Internet was new and once wore a Humpty mask to the "Today" show in New York City.

These words from the mother of a close childhood friend speak for many: "I see her as loving, caring, giving, compassionate, and sharing. I see that sensitive, precious child who expressed these traits and exhibited them throughout her lifetime. I love that child. I love the beautiful woman that she became, and I love her magnanimous soul that is watching over us."

Dee faced her death with courage and dignity and meticulously shared the journey through her illness on the CaringBridge site. She embodied the saying, "each day is a gift," and has inspired many to use their own remaining time wisely. The earth is losing a wonderful lady, but heaven is receiving a beautiful soul.

Dee is preceded in death by her father, Thurman Lee Sharp of Birchwood, TN and her beloved grandmother, Fran Weiss. She is survived by her husband, Stanley E. Jones; son, Ryan Sharp Jones; mother, Jean Wavrovics of Hendersonville; brothers, David Sharp (Jane) of Chattanooga and Dan Sharp of Raleigh; niece, Kelli Myer and grandnephew, Hudson Meyer; and nephew, Jeff Sharp.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the Chapel of the Prodigal on the campus of Montreat College. Friends are asked to wear their favorite hats and tea-party attire.

The family expresses their appreciation to Dee's doctors, Dr. Brad Rachman and Dr. Raymond Thertulien, and to CarePartners Homecare Hospice. Dee requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to National Public Radio.