Nancy Ball Sharp

Nancy Ball Sharp, 77, passed away on January 16, 2026 at her home in Suffolk, Virginia watched over by her loving husband with the help of Sentara Hospice. She was born on August 1, 1948 to Samuel B. and Rose Frances Ball of Aylett, Virginia. She spent a happy childhood growing up on River Hill Farm on the Mattaponi River. She attended King William High School and was a cheerleader, a basketball player, softball player and Salutatorian of the Class of 1966. She attended Westhampton College of the University of Richmond, graduating in 1970 with a BS degree in Biology and a Mathematics minor. After graduation she taught at Varina High School in Henrico County for three years and discovered her true calling as a teacher.
On July 1, 1973, she married Bruce Sharp and moved to Suffolk. That year she began teaching at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, where, except for short breaks at the birth of each of her two sons, she would teach for the next 34 years. Always dedicated to becoming a better teacher, she earned her Master of Science in Education degree with an emphasis in biology from Old Dominion University in 1998. While she taught a wide variety of science classes over the years, her true love was teaching biology. For many years she taught Advanced Placement Biology and was truly proud of the accomplishments of her students in their later careers. She cared deeply about all her students and loved her life as a teacher. After retiring in 2007, she discovered that being a grandmother was even better than teaching. She loved the time she spent with her grandchildren and seeing them grow to become fine young people.
She also devoted her time to the mission works of her church and the community. Although she was both a ruling Elder and Deacon in Suffolk Presbyterian Church, her heart never truly left her childhood church - Beulah Baptist Church in Aylett, Virginia. At Suffolk Presbyterian, she actively supported both the congregation and the community. She enjoying baking and giving away sourdough bread and rolls. Many people knew her as "the bread lady." She also was active in supporting the CAPS program and in collecting donations for Newborns in Need.
She was predeceased by her mother, Rose Frances Ball, her father, Samuel Bates Ball and her brother Samuel Bates Ball, Jr.
She leaves to mourn her passing a loving husband, Donald Bruce Sharp; two sons - Samuel Grant Sharp, his wife Meghan and their children, Katelyn and Benjamin and James Bryan Sharp, his wife Jodie and their children, Cadence and Claire. She also is mourned by her brother's widow Judy Shepard (Ed), a niece, Samantha Demarino (Matthew) and a nephew, Jeb (Abby).
Due to the impending weather, the memorial service scheduled for Saturday will be canceled. We plan to reschedule the service for a later date and will share those details as soon as they are available. Donations to Edmarc, Inc. or Suffolk Presbyterian Church are welcome in lieu of flowers. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home, Downtown Suffolk Chapel is serving the family.