Yvonne J. Sharpe

Yvonne Marie Jenkins Sharpe, a faithful and fierce advocate for family, community, women and people of color, died from complications of Alzheimer's disease on August 2, 2023. She was 76.



Yvonne was born on November 27, 1946, in New Bern, North Carolina, the younger of two children of educators Percy M. and Dorothea Poole Jenkins. Yvonne played basketball and was valedictorian of the 1965 class at P.W. Moore High School in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. She was active in the civil rights movement fighting against segregation and for equal rights. She also worked as a biochemist at the National Institutes of Health in the summer during her college years. In 1970, she married her high school sweetheart, Butler Lee Sharpe III, and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science.



The young couple relocated from Elizabeth City, North Carolina to Hempstead, New York. They traveled extensively, including to Paris, France while Yvonne was pregnant. Nothing stopped them from enjoying life! In 1973, their daughter, Stacy Yvette Sharpe was born in Mineola, New York. After working at the Bronx State Hospital, Yvonne commenced a career with Allstate that would bring her family to Deerfield, Illinois and last more than 28 years. She was a trailblazer in technology as an Information Systems executive and worked fearlessly to promote access to corporate opportunities for women and people of color.



Yvonne was a tireless community leader, serving on the boards and in executive roles for numerous civic organizations. She served as President of the North Shore Links, Inc. and President of the North Shore Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. In addition, she served on the board of directors for the Black Data Processing Associates, the Deerfield Public Library and the North Shore Housing Development Corporation, and was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Yvonne served as a Sunday School teacher and an active leader at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church in Deerfield, IL.



As Yvonne led in corporate America and in her community, she never missed a CSI television show or book club gathering. She danced whenever she could with the love of her life, Butler. And she loved to cook. Yvonne could always be counted on to enliven social gatherings with witty insights, laughter and delightful dishes exactingly and lovingly prepared.



Even in retirement, Yvonne worked to help others, founding the Sharpe Kids Foundation to support children in need of school resources. She dedicated her life to the service of others.



Yvonne is survived by her beloved husband, Butler Sharpe, her brother, Percy Jenkins, Jr., and her daughter, Stacy Sharpe (Lamont Jones) and many loving relatives. There will be a private memorial service for the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Yvonne Sharpe's name to the Alzheimer's Association. Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 185 E. Northwest Highway, Palatine, IL, 60067. For info, www.smithcorcoran.com or 847-359-8020.