JEFFERSON CITY, TN
Lucy Kathleen Skeen Sharp, 100 years old, passed away on August 23, 2022. She was born February 6, 1922 to Roy Gilbert and Mattie Jane Cate Skeen in Knoxville, TN. She met her husband Robert William Sharp at Carson-Newman College and they began life together in 1942 until his death in 1998.
It was there she picked up the nickname as her future husband’s pick up line was—-did anyone ever tell you that you look like Judy Garland? The name stuck and she was known as Judy for many years.
Alongside being an excellent Minister’s wife and Mother to seven children, Kathleen was a substitute teacher, church pianist, piano teacher, Sunday School teacher, and volunteer. She loved learning and was a voracious reader and crossword puzzle solver.
She always regretted not finishing college before she married.
After relocating from New Whiteland, IN to Jefferson City, TN in 1993 she surprised her family by returning to Carson-Newman College after 50 years. She became an excited college coed again, discussing with the family the
new things she was learning. Being an older student in her seventies she had a distinct advantage over some students?she actually studied! She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion in 1997 at the age of 75.
She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Dandridge.
She took up painting as a hobby in 1993 and painted many beautiful pictures. She also had a love of gardening.
She is predeceased by her husband Robert and grandson Landon Sharp.
She is survived by daughters Becky Sharp, Barbara Ridley, Kathy Sharp (Steve), and Dorothy Pilgrim (Kevin), sons John (Jane), Sam (Revie), and Ben (Kathy). Grandchildren are Ellen Sharp, Travis Ridley, Abigail Rodriquez, Hannah Pilgrim, Cate Smith, Caroline Adobah, Rachael Sharp, Emma Blumer, and Spencer Sharp. She also leaves behind seventeen great grandchildren.
A private ceremony will be held by the family at a later date. Burial will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens next to her husband.
