Sharon "Elaine" Emery Bedell

Elaine was a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Fl. She graduated from Paxon High School and attended Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota and Jacksonville University.

Elaine worked for many area banks and retired from Fifth Third Bank as a branch manager and vice president. While Elaine’s employment was in banking, her passion was always art. That passion began at an early age and continued through her life with her last painting started on February 16, 2024. Elaine was a founding member of The Art Center Cooperative, Inc. She also served as a Treasurer and worked as the main docent for The Art Center for years during retirement.

Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, Raiford Frederick Emery, Sr. and Ruby Lee Wainwright Emery, brother David Emery and grandparents Leroy Frederick Emery, Anna Louise Emery, Joseph Daniel Wainwright and Bessie May (Harris) Wainwright, cousin Kevin Emery and his wife Allison Emery, cousins Ronald Wainwright, Barbara Jean Wainwright and William Wainwright. Elaine leaves behind her daughter Heather “Kate” Bedell, her husband Richard R. Kuritz and his son Tyler Kuritz (Mary), their beloved huskies Ramsey and Lucy, brother Raiford Frederick Emery, Jr. (Theresa), Aunt Betty Emery, cousins James Wainwright, John Van Zant (Karen), Charles Van Zant (Katherine), Rick Emery (Paula), Steve Emery (Sandy), Cindy Emery, the children and grandchildren of her cousins and many friends.

Through her art, she touched our souls and left an indelible mark. Her creativity lives on in the beauty she left behind. Her love of art, her daughter and family are her legacy. As an artist, she could clearly see what others can only catch a glimpse of. Through her love of art, she left behind a part of herself that will never fade away. She once wrote “I love the creative process. Watching the image coming to life beneath my fingertips is a thrill. I look at the beauty around me and I see paintings waiting to happen. I want to make you open your eyes and see the things that soothe the soul and lift the spirit. See things that surround us every day, from the simplest to the most complex forms.”

Praise the Lord, my soul and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. Psalms 103:2-5

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. (give.michaeljfox.org)

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Friday, April 5th at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd.