Edna M. Sharp

Edna M. Sharp

Edna Matthews Grimes Sharp, 92, of Florence, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2014 ,at her residence. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Elkins Funeral Home in Florence. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. with Pastor Michael Cole officiating. Burial will be in Florence City Cemetery.

Mrs. Sharp was a charter member of the Weeden Heights Methodist Church. Everyone that met Edna was welcomed with open arms. All of us introduced her as Mamma Sharp, as she would claim them as her own before the visit ended. Such a special woman, words cannot seem to do justice to what an amazingly strong and wonderful woman she was.

Each of us that got time with Mamma were given special moments of time; gifts that were tokens of Mamma's heart. She always poured wisdom into each of us during those special times.

One morning, while sitting on the front porch hand in hand, in the old white rockers Mamma and I greeted a beautiful day much like today. That morning, as the sunshine warmed our faces, I looked at Mamma. Her beautiful skin and face, I felt the softness of her hand in mine. That moment, I thought to ask Mamma a question. "Mamma, what is your favorite time of day?" Mamma smiled sheepishly as she did and with her childlike eyes full of excitement and joy replied, "Mornin' time, mornin' time is my favorite time of day." I asked why and she simply and easily said, "Because each mornin' is new, unblemished and clean. It's like a present, waiting to be unwrapped all through the day, layer by layer." I smiled, as we all do, in the amazement of our Mamma and Mama.

Mamma was given the gift of an eternal new day to unwrap in Heaven with Jesus. No doubt those childlike eyes of amazement are taking in all the beauties of Heaven and beholding the face of her King and God who created such a wonderfully beautiful, strong and wise woman as our Mama and Mamma. Thank you God for sharing Mamma Sharp with us.

Survivors include her daughters, Brenda Stone (James), Wanda Cox, and Myra Sherrod (Robert); sons, William David Sharp (Nancy) and J. R. Sharp (Sandra); brother, Donald Matthews (Ann); 18 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Sylvester "Podger" Grimes and Edwin R. Sharp; parents, Thomas and Virginia Colvert Matthews; sister, Annie Williams; and brothers, Coleman, Doyle and R. T. Matthews.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NAMI of the Shoals or the Weeden Heights Methodist Church.

Elkins Funeral Home of Florence invites you to leave online condolences at elkinsfuneralhome.com.