Archie Sharretts

Dr. Archie Sharretts, a
passionate and distin-
guished musician, teach-
er, community advocate,
philosopher, conductor,
friend and, most impor-
tantly, husband, father
grandfather and great-
grandfather, died in the
loving arms of his family
on July 4th at his Toccoa,
Georgia home at the age of
95. Dr. Sharretts made
sweeping and widespread
contributions to the educa-
tion and music world
through his teaching and
determination to encour-
age discipline, indepen-
dent thinking, and excite-
ment to learn. Dr. Shar-
retts' passion for music,
along with the talented
and young musicians he
had the privilege to teach
and lead, resulted in Toc-
coa and Stephens County
High School bands achiev-
ing Superior ratings at ev-
ery music festival compe-
tition ranking the bands
among the top in the na-
tion. The crowning
achievement was a covet-
ed invitation to perform at
The Midwest Cl
inic Band
and Orchestra Festival,
the worlds largest instru-
mental music education
conference. At tha
t perfor-
mance, the band received
an unprecedented ovation
with the audience on their
feet most in tears over the
moving presentation of
Richard Wagners Elsas
Procession to the Cathe-
dral. Dr. Sharretts was not
only honored by the bands
performance but al
so by
the powerful support from
the Toccoa Stephens Coun-
ty community. Governor
Jimmy Carter added state
appreciation by declaring
Stephens County Band
Day in a special ceremony.
The community bolstered
him to further improve
music development as well
as improving the overall
quality of education.
Dr. Sharretts was a tal-
ented athlete, receiving
many awards at a young
age in sports. But music
was his passion. Born into
a broken home on January
25,1930, he and his close
brother and lifelong best
friend, Rod grew up with
the help of extended fami-
ly and a Catholic Boys'
home. In Catholic School,
the two battled for best
athlete, most talented, and
best looking. Both had in
common a great enthusi-
asm and affection for mu-
sic. Dr. Sharretts enlisted
in the United St
ates Air
Force as a bandsman,
playing the baritone in
bands to support the US
and USAF to hel
p main
-
tain troop morale and
build relationships
through music. In that ca-
pacity, he was honored t
o
perform with Bob Hope in
his ren
owned show in ap
-
preciation for service
members away from
home. Following his four-
and-a-half-year to
ur, he at
-
tended Florida State Uni-
versity graduating with
Bachelors and Masters De-
grees in Music Edu
cation
and in 1979 was awarded a
PhD in Music Education
from Florida State Univer-
sity.
Invited to apply for
band dire
ctor at Toccoa
High School, he accepted
and quickly fell in love
with his new home where
he became part of
a proud,
close-knit and supportive
community. Dr. Sharretts
made Toccoa home for the
rest of his lif
e. In Toccoa,
he found a community
with stro
ng family spirit.
He was inspired by the
residents' community
pride, compassion for
neighbors
, and enthusi
-
asm to learn. Students re-
flected this in their moti-
vation to learn, curiosity
and desire to stri
ve for ex
-
cellence. They were ready
to make music and, in the
meantime, Dr. Sharretts
was ready to learn from
them. He always said the
student and teacher team-
work in Toccoa equates to
success in making music.
Dr. Sharretts was elect-
ed by peers into The Geor-
gia Bandmasters Hall of
Fame in 1999. He was the
first conductor of the Toc-
coa Symphony Orchestra,
an honor he held for 25
years. He was a member of
Florida State Phi Delta
Kappa, which promotes
free public education, and
Phi Beta Mu, the National
Bandmaster Fraternity. It
was a great honor when
multiple students chose
him as STAR Teacher.
He was a guest conduc-
tor, clinician, and Instruc-
tor of Music Appreciation
at the University of Geor-
gia, recipient of the Liber-
ty Bell Award, and of the
MAC Award for the State
of Georgia.
One of his most cher-
ished honors was when
his music students were
chosen as All State Stu-
dents which recognizes
the top musicians in the
State of Georgia.
As active as Dr. Shar-
retts was professionally
and, in the community,
his greatest joy was spend-
ing time with his family,
colleagues, and friends. He
expected all his children
to participate in a sport, go
to church regularly, and
vote (his way, of course).
Dr. Sharretts was
blessed with the love and
companionship of two re-
markable women. He was
first married to Gracie Al-
ice Davis, whose grace and
devotion shaped their ear-
ly years in Toccoa. Togeth-
er they raised six children
in a home filled with mu-
sic, faith, love, and orga-
nized chaos. Gracies pass-
ing in 1985 left him with a
profound void.
Archie found renewed
joy and partnership with
Marlene Murphy Long.
They were married in
1986. Her warmth and
their shared values
brought comfort and com-
panionship in his later
years. Their bond was one
of mutual respect and qui-
et strength. Marlenes pres-
ence enriched Archies
journey with tende
rness
and care. He was also pre-
ceded in death by daugh-
ter Jody Sharretts Rabb
(1990), grands
ons Todd
Eric Nathanson (2020),
Daniel Matthew Sharretts
(2005), and by his brother
(Rodney).
He is survived by his
children, Patti McGuire-
Romack (Greg), Rose
Marie Sharretts Miranda
(Carlos), Jon Michael
Sharretts (Wanda),
Matthew Allen Sharretts
(Miriam), and Archie
"Doodle" Beaumont Shar-
retts III, and his stepchil-
dren, Renee Long Needle
(Steve) and Scott Long
(Carol). In addition, he
leaves behind 13 grand -
children, nine great-
grandchildren, one niece
and three nephews.
Dr. Sharretts lived a
life steeped in purpose,
guided by faith that tran-
scended the stage and
classroom. Archie be-
lieved every musician
held a spark of the Divine.
His desire was that every
student felt sacred affir-
mation and taught stu-
dents to play not only with
skill but with soul.
He studied his Bible as
he studied a musical score.
Like his scores, his Bible
is marked with highlight-
ed passages and notes. He
confided that he wasnt
quite done here and, very
reluctantly, he
said good
-
bye to family and close
friends. In the end, he held
fast to his faith--believing
that it was not
the finale
as he passed to divine and
perfect harmony.
The family would like
to thank the Toccoa com-
munity for helping Archie
follow
his path. Special
thanks to The Visiting An-
gels, Amedisys Hospice
and The Ladies of Bereave-
ment Committee.
The family will receive
friends at Whitlock Mortu-
ary from 5pm 8pm, Mon-
day, July 14, 2
025.
Funeral Services to
honor Dr.
Sharretts will
be held Tuesday, July 15,
2025 at 2:00 pm at the Toc-
coa First Methodist
Church
. Immediately fol
-
lowing the service, the
family invites you to a
short committal at
Stephens Memorial
Gar
-
dens with Military Honors
provided by the United
States Air Force. Follow-
ing the committal, the
family requests the plea-
sure of y
our company at a
reception at the Terrell
House, 226 E. Savannah
Street. This is generously
and lovin
gly hosted by the
Ladies of the Bereavement
Committee.
In lieu of flowers,
memorial donations
may
be made to one or more of
the following; Steve Sto-
vall Music Education
Fund, 322 Clearview
Drive, Toccoa, Ga 30577;
Toccoa Or
chestra Guild,
P.O. Box 893, Toccoa, GA
30577 or at toccoasympho-
ny.org; or to the Toccoa-
Stephens County Humane
Shelter P.O. Box 2182 Toc-
coa, GA 30577 or at
tschs.org.
Please keep the family
in your thoughts and
prayers and sign the on-
line guestbook at
www.whitlockmortu-
ary.net.
Whitlock Mortuary, Fu-
nerals and Cremations is
honored to be serving the
family of Dr. Archie Beau-
mont Sharretts, II.