Virginia Lee (Murray) Sharp

Preston, MD - “If I can help somebody, then my living will not be in vain,” was the motto of Virginia Lee Sharp, affectionally known as ”Mom Mom Ginny.” She made her transition from her earthly home to her heavenly home on November 21, 2020. Although born on January 11, 1924, her official records note her birth as January 18, 1924, she always celebrated both days.

As a child, Virginia was educated at the Marsh Creek School and later at Lockerman High School in Denton, MD. She worked numerous jobs in her life, including working the fields, canning factories (tomatoes and oysters), farming, cleaning houses, farmer’s market vendor, and the most of which she enjoyed was baking and cooking for others. Clearly, Virginia was not afraid of an honest hustle! She made up her mind the life that she wanted for her family and went to work to make it happen. Whatever she did, she did it with love, humor, and never complained even performing the dirtiest of tasks. Her most beloved hustle was during the Christmas season whereby she would make natural holiday wreaths and decorations and sell them on the street corners in Easton, MD, a tradition that started when she was a child and taught to her by her beloved grandfather, William C. Murray. A 70-plus year tradition which continued annually until last year when she was no longer able to perform the tedious tasks. She had an assembly line at home! Her children helping, having joyous moments of songs, story-telling, and lots of laughter.

Virginia loved children and felt every child should have a loving home. So, after 20 plus years of marriage, convinced her husband, Otis Sharp to begin a wonderful journey of raising foster children. That decision took her life and that of her seven biological children on an unbelievable journey of love, joy, and gratitude. More than 100 foster-children have blessed the Sharp home. She took in complete strangers and joined us all into one family. She even embraced the families of the foster children in order to keep those precious connections together. Many of the children continue to be an active part of the family and their children and grandchildren were raised in this ever-growing family. Virginia’s work with foster children has been recognized as she received numerous gubernatorial citations, and community citations, TV appearances, and was featured on historical documentaries with the Preston Historical Society. Additionally, in her later years, Virginia began to care for senior citizens in her home who had mild health challenges or simply needed a place to call home. Simply put, Virginia Sharp was an amazing woman!

Throughout her entire life, she served God, and taught her family to do the same. She belonged to the United Methodist faith and worshipped at the former Mt. Pleasant Church on Marsh Creek Rd. When that church burned down and relocated to become Mt. Calvary she was always an active fund-raiser, tirelessly involved in the Women’s Ministry, was a beautiful alto voice in the choir, a Communion Stewart, and also served in the kitchen cooking and baking for church events.

Virginia was the only child of Geneva Murray and Ulysses Adams. And was lovingly raised by her step-father, Maynard Murray. She married Otis Nelson Sharp (deceased) on February 11, 1944, and 7 children were born to this union, Larry (Rose), Ellwood (deceased), Sherwood, Sherman, Barbara (Paul), Loretta, and Verna. In addition, Elizabeth Adams Jones (Hilton), Frances Cephas Coulbourn, and Maurice (deceased), Stanley, Charles, Percy, Wendell Cephus, Kevan Johnson, Rahime James, Johnathan Butler, Tashera Evans, Tammy Evans, Elisa Adams Wise, and Tasha Batson were among the first groups of children brought to Virginia and Otis Sharp’s care. The list of children includes over 100 more.

She also leaves to mourn 2 beloved first cousins, James (Anzilia) Murray, and Rodney Evans. Virginia leaves her legacy and life lessons to over 20 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. Virginia Sharp was known as “The woman who could do it all.” She is the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31, virtues aimed at making the life of her husband better, teaching her children, and serving God.

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