Audra Marie Sharp, 85, of Columbia, died early Friday morning, Dec. 18, 2020, at Cedarhurst Senior Living in Columbia.
She was born Feb. 12, 1935 to Homer and Otha Hooper Clark.
On Nov. 2, 1956, Audra was married to Laurence “Kenneth” Sharp.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth, on June 21, 2007, and two brothers, Johnny Riggs and Robert Turner.
Audra was born and raised in the Lebanon area and graduated from Lebanon High School. She then attended Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, 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, Kan., 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 a member of Second Baptist Church in Lebanon. She was active in the Second Millers Group.
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.
Family graveside services for Audra Marie Sharp were held Dec. 21 2020, at Mount Rose Memorial Park in Lebanon under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon with Rev. Roger Marshall officiating. Burial was at Mt. Rose Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions to the Second Baptist Church of Lebanon may be made through the funeral home.
For more information, visit www.holmanhowe.com.
