Virginia Marting Sharp

Virginia Marting Sharp passed away gently and suddenly on October 19, 2019, at the age of 91. Her three children were present at her passing. She is survived by her three children, two step-daughters, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Born Virginia Emma Parker to Clara Hollenbach and Edgar E. Parker on December 10, 1927, in Columbus, Ohio, Virginia (Ginny) received a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from The Ohio State University in 1949. She never lost her interest in fashion though her career took her in a different direction. After moving to West Palm Beach, Florida from Columbus, Ohio, Ginny worked for the Sheriff’s Department and then joined the State of Florida Employment Service, helping many disadvantaged people find jobs. Ginny later attended Florida Atlantic University, receiving a Master of Education degree in 1969. After retiring in 1992, she stayed busy reading to school children.

After college, she married Jay Timmonds Marting in Greenup, Kentucky, in 1950. They had two children, Diane Elaine Marting in 1952 and John Parker Marting in 1955 and then moved to North Palm Beach, Florida. Ginny and Jay divorced in 1958.

Living in West Palm Beach, Ginny married James Wiley Sharp (Wiley) in 1966 who had two daughters by a previous marriage, Suzanne Sharp of Palm Springs, Florida and Nancy Countess of Hillsboro, Texas. Together they had a son, James Wiley Sharp, Jr. (Jim) in 1967.

Ginny loved to travel with family and friends. She visited Jim when he moved to Vietnam, and traveled with Diane to far-flung places like Japan, Portugal, and Brazil. She traveled with Wiley to Alaska and with friends all around the US.

Between 2000 and 2006, Ginny moved to the Pacific Northwest and the beautiful island of Whidbey in Puget Sound, north of Seattle, Washington. There she enjoyed the beautiful outdoors and wildlife and whale watching out her windows.

In her final years, John took great care of her when she lived with his family, then at King’s Bridge Retirement Community, and lastly at Sunrise of Decatur, all in the Atlanta area. Energetic, adventurous, and social, Ginny Sharp made friends easily and loved to spend time with them. Pets, especially dogs, gave her great pleasure. She was loved by and touched so many.

Following a family graveside service with friends and family, Ginny will be laid to rest on November 16th at Hillcrest Memorial Park in West Palm Beach, Florida next to J. Wiley Sharp, who preceded her in passing