Elena R. Sharpes

Elena R. Sharpes, a retired special education teacher, has gone to her forever home, guided by angels who were there with her, and ending her battle with Parkinson's disease, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at First United Methodist Church Chapel of Waco with Dr. Stephen Ramsdell officiating.Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Elena was born Feb. 17, 1923, in Norton, Texas, to Loy and Della Taylor.She loved her Lord, her home and family, rounddancing, singing and her church. She was a wonderful cook and loved to cook for her family. Elena graduated from Norton High School in 1940 and met the love of her life, Ken Sharpes, while a senior at Norton High School.After graduation, they married June 29, 1940. Ken and Elena started their life together on a farm in Norton. They farmed for a while at Ballinger, Texas.Ken became a building contractor and built many beautiful homes.Elena led her daughters to have a deep faith in Christ. She enrolled in San Angelo State University at the age of 40, worked her way through college in two years, was an honor student, obtained her Masters Degree and became a special education teacher.She loved the children she taught for 20 years until she retired.Upon retirement, she and Ken traveled extensively in our beautiful country, round danced, and square danced.She was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Weslyan Workers Sunday School Class. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, John and Nita Dry; mother and father-in-law, K.I. and Myrtle Sharpes; and grandparents, Elmo and Lucretia Mason and R.P. and Mittie Taylor. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 69 years, Ken Sharpes, who took such good care of her in her latter stages of Parkinson's disease; three daughters, Donna O'Bryan and husband, Gene, Sandra Beyer and husband, Daryl, and Brenda Huffaker and husband, Gary; four grandchildren, Dana Szabo, Shelley Smith, David Beyer, and Pam Smith and husband, Thomas; great-grandchildren, Logan, Dylan, Caden and Ethan Smith, Kayla Szabo, and Kenneth Smith; two great-great-grandchildren, Seda and Jacob Szabo; sister, Noragene Pruitt; sister-in-law, Ouida Ballard and husband, John; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.She will be greatly missed by all. The family wishes to express thanks to Providence Hospice for all their care and support and especially to Yarnell Adams, for her loving care of Elena. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Providence Hospice of Waco, 4830 Lakewood Dr Ste 2, Waco TX 76710, or First United Methodist Church, 4901 Cobbs Dr., Waco TX 76710. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. February 17, 1923 - August 2, 2009 Sign the Guest Book at www.wacotrib.com