Betty Jane Sharp

1939 - 2026

Betty Jane Sharp

Born: November 2, 1939 | Died: February 13, 2026

On the morning of February 13, 2026, Betty Jane Coada Sharp, our beautiful matriarch and beacon of love, light, hope, and service closed her eyes on the reality of earth, yet wakened into the Light of the World to Come where her pain, cancer, sorrow, and struggles were vanquished forever.

No matter what Grandma Betty faced, or how hard her battles would become, her mission to care and spread love to every soul she met never faltered. To come into contact with her was to love her, as she insisted that the world call her Grandma, and she truly viewed each connection as the birth of a new grandchild whom she'd forever support and love.

We grieve for the earthly loss of one of the most beautiful souls this world shall ever know, but we rejoice knowing our world's grandma has entered into the greatest of peace and will forever be a guardian angel to each life she so greatly loved.

Affectionately referred to as "Grandma Sharp," Betty was born in Cades Cove, Tennessee on November 2, 1939. After graduating, Betty served as a Credit Manager at JCPenney in Atlanta, Georgia before returning to Maryville, Tennessee to work at ALCOA as Hotline Supervisor and care for her aging parents. Upon retirement, Betty volunteered throughout Maryville City Schools in a variety of capacities with a special attachment to aiding the school clinics, the Forensics team, and helping its teachers. Her deepest desire was to ensure every child felt seen, cared for, and loved. Nothing made her happier than to see a child thriving and living with joy.

Preceded in death by Parents Rufus and Flora Coada, Grandmother Labe Houston (Bessie Shields) Myers, Son Jeffrey Woods, Siblings Lois (James) Patty, Bill (Brenda) Coada, Bob (Delorse) Coada, and Myers Coada, Siblings-in-Law Wanda Coada and Kip Smiley. Survived by Husband Mack Sharp, Siblings Kermit Coada and Bess Smiley, Sibling-in-Law Louise Coada, Sons John and Robert Woods, Step-Children Donna, Doug, and Julie Sharp, Grandchildren Dallas "Chip" Woods, Bobby Woods, Coada Woods, Cameron Walker, Nicole Walker, Zaylee Woods, Caitlin Rose, Benny Campbell, Nick (Gary) Campbell, Jessica (Nick) Baldwin, Leah Yarbrough, Jill Sharp, Jennifer (Stephen) St. James , as well as Great-Grandchildren Corey and Andrew Baldwin, Braden Yarbrough and Maya Swaney.

If you're reading this, Grandma Betty would want to tell you to never give up. To love big and fiercely. To protect the downtrodden. To live a life of service to others (from animals to every person you encounter). And above all, she would want you to know that YOU MATTER. You are loved beyond all measure. You'll always have a guardian angel above, and family here below, amongst Grandma Sharp and us all.

Receiving of Friends will take place at Smith Trinity Chapel on Friday, March 6, from 6:00- 8:00pm. A Memorial Service will take place Saturday morning at 11:00am with Rev. Scott Knight officiating and special music by Allison Speer followed by a graveside burial at 12:00pm at Grandview Cemetery. Following this, family, friends, and all of Betty's loved ones will gather at the Smith Pavilion for a potluck meal to celebrate her life. All are encouraged to view this memorial as a celebration of the Love and Light Betty brought to this world and to dress in colors reflective of the beauty of life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to BreastStrokes Knoxville at https://breaststrokesknoxville.com to support local women facing the burdens of Cancer. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.