New Bridge, Oregon
Leora Arletta Martin Sharp, 92, of New Bridge, died July 21, 2002, at her home.
A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, Aug.17 at 10 a.m. at the Nazarene Church in New Bridge.
Interment will be at the Eagle Valley Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception to be held at the New Bridge Grange following the service.
Leora was born May 2, 1910, in Saugas, Mass., to Edward Everett Martin and Arletta Maud Holsten. She was the eldest of five siblings: Leora, Ted, Everett, Paul and Mary.
Both parents encouraged education for their children at Northwest Nazarene College. When Leora finished her education, she held three degrees: a B.A. in theology, a B.A. in arts, Magna Cum Laude, languages in Greek/Hebrew, Latin, French and Spanish as well as a certificate in education.
She accepted a post following college in New Bridge, helping the local Nazarene Pastor. When she arrived the pastor was busy farming and stepped aside for her. So she had a congregation, and in that congregation was the Sharp family. She met, fell in love and six months later married Randolph Sherman Sharp on Dec. 17, 1934. They had three children, Evelynne Lee, Randolph Edward and Joel Martin.
Leora had many jobs besides wife and mother. She was also a pastor, school teacher, principal and district school superintendent.
Randolph supported her with prayer and unwavering emotional support.
Leora leaves memories of storytelling, courage and the love of the Lord. She said that “The Lord gave her a double portion of love.” And that love she gave to her family, friends, students, church members and her community.
She is survived by her sons and their wives, Randolph E. and Betty Sharp and Joel Martin and Kathy Sharp; grandchildren: Ron and Jeannine Sharp, Bob and Jeannette Sessions, Lori Prout, Ed, Steven and Jamie Sharp; great-grandchildren: Mike and Kerri Sharp, Josh and Arrow Norton, Leland and Tawsha Mashak, Terra Sharp, Robbie Sessions, Rainbow Sessions, Katherine and Jessie Prout; great-great grandchildren, Brandon and Levi Norton and Alaina Mashak.
Leora was preceded in death by her husband, Randolph, and her daughter, Evelynne.
Contributions in Leora’s memory may be made to the Nazarene Church in care of Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543 Halfway, OR 97834.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 2, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor