Alvin Boyd Sharp

SHARP, ALVIN BOYD - age 88, a native Knoxvillian, went home to be with the Lord following pneumonia and complications from a stroke, on July 29, 2013 at 12:40 PM. Boyd was born at Fort Sanders Hospital in 1924, attended Bluegrass Elementary, and graduated from Farragut High School. Following graduation, Boyd enlisted in the United States Army Air Force, and was stationed in Saipan during World War II. He attended The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on the GI Bill, and became a sales professional, working for Graybar Electric, Dixie Box Company, and Tate Window & Door. Boyd taught Dale Carnegie courses, enjoyed playing golf, was a strong tennis player, and enjoyed following the "Vol" Basketball. In the 1970's, real estate became his profession which he continued until his retirement in the mid-1990's. Boyd grew up in a family that loved their local church, Cedar Springs Presbyterian, where he made his profession of faith in Jesus Christ at age eight. Boyd continued to serve the Lord as a father, husband, and active member at Cedar Springs, where all three of his daughters were baptized and grew in their personal faith. Boyd served as a Sunday School teacher, a Deacon, an Elder, Sunday School Superintendent, and President of the Men of the Church. He also served as President of the Knoxville Presbytery's Men of the Church, was involved with Knoxville's Christian Business Men's Committee, and was President of the Knoxville Jaycees. Boyd worked alongside his wife for ten + years as a Knoxville Young Life Committee Member. Boyd was the only boy of the four children born to Alvin Boyd Sharp and Hessie Ellen Toole Sharp. His parents and two of three sisters, Mary Nell Sharp McFee and Rebecca Sharp Knott, precede Boyd in death, while Martha Sharp Tillery, currently resides in Madisonville, TN. Marrying a West Tennessee girl, Mary Jane Bell, in 1956, led to building a house out in the country, at the top of a hill on a narrow, gravel road, Peters Road, where the Sharp Family still lives. Boyd and Mary Jane have three daughters: Malinda Sharp, an Interior Designer in Roswell, Georgia, Mary Boyd Sharp Brost, with USAA Financial Solutions in Black Forest, Colorado and Martha Sharp, Knoxville Medical Sales Specialist, with Pfizer. Both the Sharp & Toole families settled in Eastern Tennessee in the 1780's, making Boyd and his family "First Families of Tennessee" through both parents' lineage. A passionate bird watcher, Boyd knew innumerable songbirds through their song alone. Boyd was an enthusiastic member and promoter of the Knoxville and the Tennessee Ornithological Societies. He liked nothing better than sharing his love of birds with anyone who'd listen to his tales about the lure of "Birding." Boyd served as KOS President, Program Chairman, and Field Trip Leader, energetically introducing new birders to local birding areas and wetlands. Boyd was never without a pair of binoculars, either around his neck, tucked inside his shirt, or stored underneath the seat of a car, and he was a sought-after presenter/speaker for local Garden Clubs, Boy Scout troops, and school teachers. Boyd was a serious book collector. He would've spent the last dollar in his wallet for a book at McKay's, which was a favorite haunt! Boyd's goal through his book collecting was to create a first-class home library for his only grandson and his namesake, Wiley Boyd Brost. Boyd is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Mary Jane; his three daughters; son-in-law, Thomas L. Brost & grandson, Wiley B. Brost, both of Black Forest, Colorado; his sister, Martha Sharp Tillery; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. A graveside service will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, August 1, 2013 at Edgewood Cemetery, with friend, minister, and fellow Presbyterian, Dr. Fred Fowler officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Knoxville Young Life, 911 Mountcastle Street, SW Knoxville, TN. 37916. For on-line giving: http://knoxville.younglife.org/Pages/donors.aspx. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. Boyd's family will be available to greet friends, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. -

Tributes

Alvin Boyd Sharp

July 29, 2013