Mary Frances Sharpe, 77, was born on March 1, 1944 in Gastonia, NC. She was born the third daughter of the late James Henry Sharpe & Maggie Lee Sharpe. She departed this life peacefully at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on April 23, 2021.

Mary was educated in the Gaston County School system where she  graduated from Lincoln High School in 1962. After graduating from high school, she moved to Winston-Salem, NC in 1963 to pursue a nursing degree at Kate Bitting Reynolds School of Nursing. After completing nursing school and passing the state board, she began her career as registered nurse at Kate Bitting Reynolds Memorial Hospital in 1966. She worked there for several years before being offered a job to work as the night shift nurse at Winston-Salem State University's Student Health Services Center.  Mary worked at WSSU's Student Health Services Center until  1998. After working at WSSU, Mary worked for 14 years part-time as a registered nurse at several nursing homes including, Lutheran Home for the Aging, and also Brian Center Health and Retirement.

After working as a registered nurse for  46 years, Mary retired in 2012 so she could devote more time to her ministry duties at church. Mary was faithful member of Fellowship Church in Winston Salem, NC under the ministry of Pastor Anthony Jones, where she served as an associate minister and also has served as the president of the Missionary department.

Mary's love was shown through her spirit of giving, as she always made it a point to be a blessing to others. She donated regularly to various charities, including Feed The Children, Shriners Hospital, Love a Child, and countless others. Mary's love for people was also shown through the volunteering of her time. She was a weekly volunteer worker at Forsyth Medical Center. She was a life member with 35 years of volunteer service.
Mary always had a love for poetry. In her later years, she began taking it more seriously and she allowed the holy spirit to use her as she began writing poems of healing and deliverance. Mary wanted to be a blessing to others through her written poetry.  In 2019, she published the poems in a book entitled "God's Lady Poet". Since its release, many have expressed how the book has been such a blessing in their lives.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, James and Maggie Sharpe, three sisters, Roberta West, Aileen Sharpe, & Rozena Parks. She is survived by her three loving children, Melanie Marlin, John Marlin Jr., and James (Tonya) Marlin; her three sisters, Eloise Dreher, Margaret Sharpe, Claudine Harris, and one brother, Henry Sharpe; her four grandchildren, Stephen, Joshua, Alyssa, and Marlin; 1 great-grandchild, Laila; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 6:00pm Wednesday April 28, 2021 at Russell Funeral Home. Private funeral services will be held at a later date.