Mary Frances 'Fran' C. Sharpe
December 4, 1930 — March 7, 2024
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Mary Frances 'Fran' C. Sharpe
Mary Frances 'Fran' Coleman Sharpe, age 93, passed away on Thursday, March 7, in Austin, Texas.
Fran, as she was known to family and friends, was born in San Antonio, Texas, to Willis E. Coleman and Carrie Northway Coleman on December 4, 1930. Her family moved to Kingsville in 1937, where she met her husband Nelson. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS degree in Home Economics from Texas College of Arts & Industries, Kingsville (now Texas A&M University Kingsville), in January 1952. She and Nelson were married in March 1952, and she followed when Nelson was stationed in California where he served as an Officer of the United States Marine Corps. Their son was born in Oceanside with a bucket of Texas dirt under the bed, so they could say their son was born over Texas soil. They returned to Kingsville in June 1956, where Nelson practiced law until his passing in 1989. Fran was a member of countless community committees, organizations, and boards, stepping into leadership positions when called to serve, and spending much of her time serving and promoting Kingsville, Texas A&M University Kingsville, Kleberg County, and South Texas.
Fran was deeply devoted to the city of Kingsville and Texas A&M University Kingsville. She had a gift for leaving lasting positive impressions on the people around her and the communities she was part of. She eventually moved from Kingsville to Westminster Manor and Life Plan community in Austin, Texas, where she left both people who worked at Westminster and those who lived there with the same great positive impact she had on people all of her life. Fran will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Before she moved to Austin to spend her last years near her grandchildren, her life was spent in service to the community of Kingsville. She was a member of the Kingsville First United Methodist Church for over fifty years and served the church in various capacities such as the Church’s Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, Finance Committee, and Committee for Child Development Center. Fran realized that the good she was doing in the church could be reflected in the community, and her work began.
In 1957, Fran joined the Woman's Club of Kingsville; an organization that has been a continuing influence in the community for the betterment of life for women through social and intellectual endeavors. This group is affiliated with the Texas Federation and the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Fran was selected from over 450 members to receive the Lifetime Service Award given by the Women's Club of Kingsville in 1999, and in December of 2007, was recognized as a "Golden Girl".
Fran's passion for bettering her community led her to join the Evening Garden Club in 1958, where she served as President and lent a helping hand on many projects. She also served as a member of the Zoning and Planning Commission of the City of Kingsville and the Kleberg County Park and Recreation Department Board of Directors.
Her involvement in the community knew no bounds. Apart from the Woman's Club and Evening Garden Club, Fran also focused her time and energy on educating the youth of the community. She taught three classes at Texas A&I University in the Home Economics Department, Homemaking at Gillett Junior High, and served as a judge in the Youth Homemaking Division of the Kleberg County Fair for about 15 years, where she got to witness her students shine. She was also Chairman of the Young Women's Department from 1963 to 1964, President of the Flato Elementary School P.T.A from 1965 to 1967, the President of Memorial Junior High School P.T.A. from 1968 to 1969, was Chairman of the sponsors for Bluebonnet Drama Club during the 1976 school year, and was secretary for the Distribution Committee of the B.C. and Addie Brookshire Kleberg County Charitable Foundation; which provides funds for non-profit organizations and youth activities in Kleberg County.
Mary Frances 'Fran' C. Sharpe's legacy as a valued member of the community and a devoted individual will forever be etched in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her. Her unwavering dedication and genuine interest in the betterment of the quality of life of the community embody characteristics that we should all strive to emulate. May she rest in peace knowing that she made a significant impact during her time with us.
Fran is preceded in death by her parents, Willis Coleman and Carrie Coleman (née Northway), her husband, Nelson Robert Sharpe, Jr., her son, Nelson Robert Sharpe, III, her sister Marjorie Furr (née Coleman), and her brother Willis 'Bill' Coleman.
She is survived by her brother, James Coleman, her daughter, Mary Kathryn Sharpe Hayes, Burgain Garfield Hayes, III, her daughter-in-law Danna Hill Sharpe, her grandchildren, Nelson Robert Sharpe, IV, Sara St. Clair Sharpe, Burgain Garfield Hayes, IV, and Mary Margaret White (née Hayes), her great-grandchildren, Nelson Robert Sharpe, V, Sawyer Dean White, Lindee St. Clair Sharpe, and Sienna Grace White, and countless other family and friends.
The family invites the public to attend a visitation to honor Fran's memory at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary in Kingsville, Texas, on March 22, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral service will take place at the First United Methodist Church in Kingsville, Texas, on March 23, 2024, at 10:00 AM, followed by an interment at Chamberlain cemetery and subsequent reception at the church at noon.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the First United Methodist Church of Kingsville, Texas A&M University Kingsville, or a charity of your choice.
Fran, as she was known to family and friends, was born in San Antonio, Texas, to Willis E. Coleman and Carrie Northway Coleman on December 4, 1930. Her family moved to Kingsville in 1937, where she met her husband Nelson. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS degree in Home Economics from Texas College of Arts & Industries, Kingsville (now Texas A&M University Kingsville), in January 1952. She and Nelson were married in March 1952, and she followed when Nelson was stationed in California where he served as an Officer of the United States Marine Corps. Their son was born in Oceanside with a bucket of Texas dirt under the bed, so they could say their son was born over Texas soil. They returned to Kingsville in June 1956, where Nelson practiced law until his passing in 1989. Fran was a member of countless community committees, organizations, and boards, stepping into leadership positions when called to serve, and spending much of her time serving and promoting Kingsville, Texas A&M University Kingsville, Kleberg County, and South Texas.
Fran was deeply devoted to the city of Kingsville and Texas A&M University Kingsville. She had a gift for leaving lasting positive impressions on the people around her and the communities she was part of. She eventually moved from Kingsville to Westminster Manor and Life Plan community in Austin, Texas, where she left both people who worked at Westminster and those who lived there with the same great positive impact she had on people all of her life. Fran will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Before she moved to Austin to spend her last years near her grandchildren, her life was spent in service to the community of Kingsville. She was a member of the Kingsville First United Methodist Church for over fifty years and served the church in various capacities such as the Church’s Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, Finance Committee, and Committee for Child Development Center. Fran realized that the good she was doing in the church could be reflected in the community, and her work began.
In 1957, Fran joined the Woman's Club of Kingsville; an organization that has been a continuing influence in the community for the betterment of life for women through social and intellectual endeavors. This group is affiliated with the Texas Federation and the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Fran was selected from over 450 members to receive the Lifetime Service Award given by the Women's Club of Kingsville in 1999, and in December of 2007, was recognized as a "Golden Girl".
Fran's passion for bettering her community led her to join the Evening Garden Club in 1958, where she served as President and lent a helping hand on many projects. She also served as a member of the Zoning and Planning Commission of the City of Kingsville and the Kleberg County Park and Recreation Department Board of Directors.
Her involvement in the community knew no bounds. Apart from the Woman's Club and Evening Garden Club, Fran also focused her time and energy on educating the youth of the community. She taught three classes at Texas A&I University in the Home Economics Department, Homemaking at Gillett Junior High, and served as a judge in the Youth Homemaking Division of the Kleberg County Fair for about 15 years, where she got to witness her students shine. She was also Chairman of the Young Women's Department from 1963 to 1964, President of the Flato Elementary School P.T.A from 1965 to 1967, the President of Memorial Junior High School P.T.A. from 1968 to 1969, was Chairman of the sponsors for Bluebonnet Drama Club during the 1976 school year, and was secretary for the Distribution Committee of the B.C. and Addie Brookshire Kleberg County Charitable Foundation; which provides funds for non-profit organizations and youth activities in Kleberg County.
Mary Frances 'Fran' C. Sharpe's legacy as a valued member of the community and a devoted individual will forever be etched in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her. Her unwavering dedication and genuine interest in the betterment of the quality of life of the community embody characteristics that we should all strive to emulate. May she rest in peace knowing that she made a significant impact during her time with us.
Fran is preceded in death by her parents, Willis Coleman and Carrie Coleman (née Northway), her husband, Nelson Robert Sharpe, Jr., her son, Nelson Robert Sharpe, III, her sister Marjorie Furr (née Coleman), and her brother Willis 'Bill' Coleman.
She is survived by her brother, James Coleman, her daughter, Mary Kathryn Sharpe Hayes, Burgain Garfield Hayes, III, her daughter-in-law Danna Hill Sharpe, her grandchildren, Nelson Robert Sharpe, IV, Sara St. Clair Sharpe, Burgain Garfield Hayes, IV, and Mary Margaret White (née Hayes), her great-grandchildren, Nelson Robert Sharpe, V, Sawyer Dean White, Lindee St. Clair Sharpe, and Sienna Grace White, and countless other family and friends.
The family invites the public to attend a visitation to honor Fran's memory at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary in Kingsville, Texas, on March 22, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral service will take place at the First United Methodist Church in Kingsville, Texas, on March 23, 2024, at 10:00 AM, followed by an interment at Chamberlain cemetery and subsequent reception at the church at noon.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the First United Methodist Church of Kingsville, Texas A&M University Kingsville, or a charity of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Frances 'Fran' C. Sharpe, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, March 22, 2024
4:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Turcotte-Piper Mortuary
Funeral Service
Saturday, March 23, 2024
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
First United Methodist Church
Interment
Saturday, March 23, 2024
11:15am - 12:15 pm (Central time)
Chamberlain Cemetery
Guestbook
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