NAGS HEAD – Jean Simpson Sharp of Nags Head passed away at home on July 5, 2012 with her children, grandchildren and her dog, Foster, by her side.

Jean was born in Elizabeth City, graduated from Converse College and was a Navy veteran of World War II. Jean described herself saying, “She was born with her hand raised”;  she volunteered and contributed to countless groups and causes.

Jean was a strong supporter of the Gallery Theater in Ahoskie, where she raised her family and lived for 53 years. She was a regional Girl Scout leader, a Master Gardener, a member of DAR and served on the Board of the Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island.  She supported Ridgecroft School and St. Mary’s School where her grandchildren were educated.

In 1932, Jean’s father, Martin B. Simpson, built a cottage in Nags Head.  Jean spent many happy years in Nags Head with family, and met her husband, Hunter Sharp Jr., in Nags Head after both served in the Navy.

She was a member, choir director and organist in Ahoskie United Methodist Church.  When Jean moved to Nags Head, she joined Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church and was actively involved in the Red Hats and the Roanoke Island Garden Club.  Jean loved to travel, made friends everywhere and led her family on trips from Russia to Egypt to France.

Jean is survived by her son, Hunter Simpson Sharp and his wife, Theresa Sharp, and their children, Hunter Winn Sharp and Aubrey Martin Sharp; and her daughter, Sophia Foster Sharp and her husband, Bob Oakes, and their children, Jeannette and Christopher.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Simpson Sharp Fund at the Outer Banks Community Foundation, www. Obcf.org.

A memorial service was held at the Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island on Sunday, July 8, with a reception at Pamlico Jack’s following the service.

Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo, assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.