SHARON B. KING

Sharon's originality and unique contributions to organized philanthropy are worthy of a biography. She gave so much to so many of us over her long career as a foundation officer. I still miss her deeply.

We all sorely miss our beloved Sharon King. She brought joy, wisdom and love in to our lives. xoxo Michael and Ralph

SK-We continue to miss you but keep everything about you in our hearts and minds.

Sharon was one of a kind, and I will remember and love her for as long as God allows me to have any memories. Her heart, goodness and kindness impacted many lives. My first memory upon meeting her was her laugh. I have been celebrating her life, particularly this week, the anniversary of her leaving us. Rest In Peace dear friend.

Sharon lives as a beacon of hope and justice in this dark time. I am glad she did not have to live through it up close, and grateful for her example of bravery and justice and love and struggle. I will take her memory as impetus to fight for decency, kindness and democracy all the harder.

Sharon King trusted a group of young American African leaders from rural North Carolina to build one of the only youth organizations led by and for African Americna young people in the South. She continued to fund our work and as a result we won many battles and grow many young leaders across the South. There were no other Sharon Kings' out there trusting black youth with thousands of dollars to do the social justice work...she was our pioneer and modern day Ella Baker. We will always...

Sharon had a mission. With TRP we carry her work on...David Perry (Chicago)

Sharon was a rare gem - particularly among foundation executives. Seldom did she miss an opportunity to attend the Delta Blues Festival, where she was as much at home dancing and laughing with families in Mississippi's sun-drenched cotton fields, as she was in Heron's New York office. Her site visits were a gift. I learned so much from Sharon's thoughtful questions, and from our conversations about influencing systems to effect change. She took the long view, as a funder and a thinker....

Sharon King was one of the greatest-souled human beings in our midst, full of passion for those with unfilled needs and full of determination and practical ideas about how to ease or fill their needs. She was a gentle soul with a soft but firm voice, an ever-present smile, and a hearty laugh. When I think about her death at so young an age, I simply want to cry.