Sarah Louise Sholmire Sharp

CARTHAGE - S. Louise Hooker Sholmire Sharp, 89, of Longview, formerly of Carthage, died after a lengthy illness on Thursday, August 2, 2007, at her daughter's home in Longview, with her daughter, Dava; grandson, David; his fiancée, Sabrina Fears; loving caregivers, Judy Johnson and Valeda Coble, all by her side. Services for Louise will be under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home in Carthage, which began with the family visitation from 6-8 p.m. Friday evening, August 3, 2007, and services will be at 3 p.m. today, August 4, 2007, at the chapel. Internment will follow in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, with the Rev. Paul Thomasson and Brother Freddy Mason officiating. Louise was born January 2, 1918, in Panola County, to Charles B. and Lolette Knight Hooker, of the Woods Community. She graduated from Tenaha High School and continued her education at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, where she received her business degree, majoring in bookkeeping, which she continued in for more than 65 years. She married E.D. "Gus" Sholmire on August 19, 1936, and was happily married for more than 45 years, before his death on March 20, 1980, in Carthage. They adopted their only child, a daughter, Dava Louise, in May of 1954. Louise later met and married R.D. "Bob" Sharp on October 10, 1988, and was again fortunate to be blessed with more than 17 years of marriage, and with that marriage was delighted to welcome Bob's five children, Bobby, Donna, Becky, Pam, and Jim, before his death on February 5, 2005. Louise was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Carthage and taught second grade Sunday school for many years, along with being a loyal member of Carters Circle Sunday School Class. She was a charter member of the American Business Women's Association, serving in all offices and capacities. Louise was the first member to be named "Woman of the Year" twice by her chapter in ABWA. Louise was a member of the Shriner Auxiliary and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary serving in numerous capacities. While being a member of the Carthage Service League, Louise served on the board and volunteered numerous hours at the Service League Thrift Store. Louise was instrumental in the beginning of the Texas Tea Room and the foundation of the Tex Ritter gift shop that was inside the Texas Tea Room. Louise was a business woman in her own right, owning two successful businesses, Wonderland Dress Shop for more than 12 years, and Petals 'N Pretties Gift Shop for more than five years. Along with helping her husband, Gus, run his grocery stores for more than 25 years, Louise assisted other well-known businesses in their beginnings as their bookkeeper, including Cassity Jones Lumber and Panola Motors. Louise was preceded in death by her loving parents, Charles B. and Lolette Knight Hooker , formerly of the Woods Community; her beloved husbands, E.D. "Gus" Sholmire , 1936-1980, formerly of Carthage, and R.D. "Bob" Sharp , 1988-2005, formerly of Carthage; brother, Dan Hooker , formerly of Carthage; and her dear grandson, Adam Allison , formerly of Carthage. A loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and great-aunt, Louise is survived by her children: daughters, Dava Louise Sholmire Giles of Longview, formerly of Carthage, Pam Sharp Allison and husband, Joe of Carthage, Becky Sharp Welch and husband, Gary of Mount Belvieu, and Donna Sharp Rollins and husband, George of Humble; sons, Jim Sharp and wife, Gina of Deadwood, and Bobby Sharp of Deer Park. Grandchildren surviving her are: David Ross Giles of Longview, formerly of Carthage; Katie Allison Laxson and husband, Brandon of Missouri City; James Jones of Mount Belvieu; Kay Jones of Mount Belvieu; Heather McLain Bonar and husband, Bill of Houston; Renee McLain Clements and husband, Michael of Burleson; Kevin McLain of Humble; Julie Sharp of Erie, Colo; and Vance Sharp of Bethany, La. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Colton Laxson of Missouri City, Treston James Jones of Sealy, James Andrew Jones of Mount Belvieu, Darian Geisendorff of Mount Belvieu, Samuel Bonar of Houston, Brendan Clements of Burleson, and Christopher Clements of Burleson; sisters, Alliece Smith and husband, Seth of Carthage, and Floy Bousman of Nacogdoches; brother, Charles Hooker and wife, Carolyn of Tenaha; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other family and friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Joe Allison, Sam Allison, Keith Chapman, Jim Cox, Jackson Herod, Bill Holder, Josh Hughes and Chad Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons, David Giles, James Jones, Kevin McLain, Vance Sharp, and in loving memory, Adam Allison. The family request memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shelby St., Carthage, TX 75633; or Heart'sWay Hospice of East Texas, 1306 Pine Tree Rd., Longview, TX 75604; www.heartswayhospice.org. Published in the Longview News-Journal on 8/4/2007.