Merline Sharpe

Her Life Story

Deaconess Merline Sharpe was born on March 1, 1948, in Chesterville, MD to the late James Wilson and Betty Mitchell. She departed her life peacefully at home, on Friday, June 27, 2025.

While living in Maryland, at an early age, Merline attended Asbury Methodist Church, where she accepted Jesus as her personal Savior and was baptized. At the age of eleven, Merline and her family moved to Wilmington, DE, where she attended Scott AME Church. While growing up in Delaware, she received her education at Mary S. Williams School and Howard High School.

In 1972, Merline met her future husband and love of her life, whom she would later marry in 1976 and from there, they enjoyed 48 years of marriage. Together they joined United Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Geogory and later Rev. Boston Ford, Jr. Later Merline and Ruben, along with Pastor Ford and a few faithful followers, departed from United Missionary and founded Outreach Baptist Church. There, she was a Sunday School teacher, served on the usher board and hospitality board, as well as sang in the choir. Later in 2004, Merline and Rueben became members of New Life Baptist Church, where they were ordained as Deacon and Deaconess in 2015. She was a dedicated church member.

One of her favorite pastimes was shopping at Goodwill. She loved hats and pocketbooks. She also loved watching TV, which her favorite shows to watch were Lifetime series, HSN, and cooking shows. Something else that Merline loved to do was share clothing and hats with her friends. If you had Merline for a friend, you were truly blessed

Deaconess Sharpe was preceded in death by her father, James Wilson, mother, Betty Mitchell, three brothers, James A. Wilson, George Wilson, Nelson Garsea.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories her devoted and loving husband Deacon Rueben Sharpe; her two daughters, Nina Grayson (Mark), and Norma Wilson; two sons, Norwood Johnson (Olivia) and Norman Johnson (Marcia); Ruemar Johnson, grandson who she raised as her own son; granddaughter, Nakeeta Johnson who she raised as her daughter, brother-in-law, Willie Sharpe (Margaret); two sisters-in-law Marlene Holley (Pedro) and Ilma Bowe, a loving host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, nieces, nephew, cousins, and three devoted friends, Barbara Hean Hawkes, Sharon Beamer, and Dorothy Hersi