Juanita Sharper

Mrs. Juanita Sharper, 100, of Austintown transitioned to her heavenly home on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving and devoted family.

Mrs. Sharper affectionately known as “Ma Sharper”, was born the fifth child of seven children of the late Walter and Velma Prude on August 6, 1923, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She was a 1941 graduate of Druid High School in Alabama and had attended the school of cosmetology. Juanita married her husband of 55 years, Charles Sharper, and to this union they raised six children, Ronald, Juanita, Josephine, Jerry, Jerome and Lyneice.

 Juanita was a dedicated, dependable and devoted member and mother of the World Fellowship Church. She sang in the choir, served on the deaconess board, mission, Pastor’s aid, Sunday School and culinary ministry. She was also a member of the NAACP for many years. Mrs. Sharper was always ready and eager to be a part of Sunday worship service and bible study on Wednesday’s.

Throughout her life, Juanita traveled with her husband and the late Rev. Elizabeth Powell, who was like a mother to her. They traveled for ten years to different countries, going to Paris twice. Her most anticipated time was, each year, when she traveled to a different state attending her family reunion and visiting her daughter and son-in-law in Randallstown, MD, with her grandchildren. She was delighted to see their faces light up, especially when they ran and jumped in the swimming pool. Her greatest joy was spending time with her own and extended family, which included her children’s friends, and sometimes simply giving a warm meal and a friendly smile to someone in need. She also had a passion for all animals, especially those of the feline persuasion. When it came to dressing, she exemplified the phrase, “well put together”. And don’t forget wherever Ma Sharper visited she always left her calling card which was "a folded tissue". 

She was an excellent cook known for her buttery homemade rolls, along with her “oh so good” rice and bread puddings that would melt in your mouth. Juanita also enjoyed cleaning, sewing, fixing small appliances and her green thumb produced beautiful flowers and vegetables in her thriving garden, all while whistling her favorite tunes. She also enjoyed collecting angels and elephants, playing dominoes and watching “In the Heat of the Night”.

She leaves to mourn her passing, but to rejoice in her eternal peace, four children, Juanita Holloway of Youngstown, Josephine Johnson and Lyneice L. Sharper both of Austintown, and Jerry W. (Juanita) Sharper, of Boardman; her devoted daughter-in-laws, Juanita, Kim and Cathy Sharper; 12 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren; her goddaughter, Tenesha Thomas and Carla Bohannon (a caring friend of the family) both of Youngstown. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Besides her parents; she was preceded in death by her husband, two sons, Jerome Sharper, Ronald L. Harris; two sisters, Queenie Duncan and Lucille Bonner; and four brothers; Walter, Leroy, William and Theodore Prude.

Visitation will be Monday, March 11, 2024, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the World Fellowship Interdenominational Church, 494 W. Dewey Ave., Youngstown, OH. A Celebration of life will follow at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Larry McCulloh will be the officiant of the home going service.  Guest are asked to wear masks.

 A special thank you to the caring staff of Hospice of the Valley/Mercy Health who helped to make our mother’s transitioning journey a natural part of life.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Juanita Sharper, please visit our floral store.