Audra M. Sharp (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Audra Marie Sharp, daughter of Homer and Otha Turner Hooper, was born February 12, 1935, in Lebanon, Missouri. She departed this life Friday, December 18, 2020, in Cedar Hurst of Columbia, Missouri, at the age of eighty-five years, ten months, and six days.
On November 2, 1956, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Laurence Kenneth Sharp, and to this union one daughter and two sons were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of fifty years, Kenneth, on June 21, 2007; and two brothers, Johnny Riggs, and Bobby Turner.
Audra is survived by two sons, Jeffrey Sharp, M.D., and his wife, Michelle, of Sedalia, Missouri, and Douglas Sharp, and his wife, Ruth, of Moultrie, Georgia; a daughter, Rebecca Bond, and her husband, David, of Columbia, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Lindsey, Lauren, Bryce, Kenneth, Christian, Amanda, Brianne, Elena, Lydia, and Emma; eleven great-grandchildren, Loie, Beau, Ada, Noah, Everly, Amelia, Clara, Connor, Oliver, Hudson, and Tatum; a sister, Sylvia Sharp, of Lebanon, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in the Lebanon area and graduated from Lebanon High School. She then attended Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Later, she earned her Master’s Degree from Drury University in Springfield. She began her teaching career in Topeka, Kansas where she taught for one year. After she and Kenneth were married, they made their home in the Lebanon area and lovingly raised their children. Audra was a devoted homemaker and mother and also helped in the operation of their family farm. She taught in Lebanon at Hillcrest Elementary School for several years, and then moved to Donnelly Elementary School where she taught sixth grade for some time. She finished her thirty-four years as an educator at Boswell Elementary School, retiring in 1994. She was well known as an excellent educator and her students loved and appreciated her.
Audra was a longtime active member of Second Baptist Church in Lebanon. She was involved in many phases of church work throughout the years, and was active in the Second Milers Group.
She also belonged to the Red Hat Society, and the Laclede County Retired School Personnel Organization. She was very outgoing and was extremely encouraging to her husband, children and her students. She was a talented cook and enjoyed making special meals for her family and friends. She loved her family dearly and especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Audra was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring friend. We celebrate her life and know that she will be fondly remembered for her love of family, devotion to education, and delightful disposition and friendliness. She will be greatly missed by all of her family, former students, and many friends.
Family graveside services will be held Monday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. at Mount Rose Memorial Park in Lebanon, officiated by Rev. Roger Marshall.
Friends may pay their respects at the funeral home Sunday, Dec. 20 and Monday morning, Dec. 21.
A memorial has been established to Second Baptist Church of Lebanon.
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