Sharon M Leacock

On September 13, 1962, a lovely, quiet home in Stoke Newington (a borough of Northern London), England, welcomed the sweet flower of a daughter, by the birth of Sharon Maureen Ince. Her father Xavier Ince being of mixed St. Lucian and French heritage was born in St. Lucia. Her Mother Rose Ellis being of mixed Jamaican, Indian, English and Portuguese heritage was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Xavier and Rose Ince wished to give her the name that would reflect both her sweet disposition and carry on the familial female name of Maureen/Moralyn. She was christened January 6, 1963, in St. Matthias and All Saints Church in Stoke Newington. She grew up in Canterbury and Cambridge where she was just a little girl in primary school learning English and French and enjoying time with her siblings, cousins’, aunts, uncles and Grandmother.

Later, Rose and Xavier took their two daughters Sharon and Patricia and moved to North America. After some travels, and her brother Joshua’s birth, they chose Texas as their home. Sharon as a young lady began to blossom, and enjoyed ice skating, bike riding, swimming, and had an affinity for roller skating. After accepting Jesus as her Saviour she was baptized as a Seventh-day Adventist at 16 years old and she began to participate in ministries such as puppet ministry and sign language ministry with her sister and some friends. After graduating from High School with honors, she began her university career at Houston Community College and the University of Houston. She later transferred to Southern Adventist College. There she studied Biology and Chemistry; she participated in helping to organize “International Student Night” which was a night where the international students of Southern College could present their cultures proudly. She also went on Ornithology tours with her classmates. As a senior, she transferred to Oakwood Adventist College for a quarter and there she met Gerome Eduardo Leacock. From the moment of their meeting a seed of young love was planted. Gerome was born in Aruba and raised in Barbados being of mixed Colombian and Caribbean heritage.

After six months of dating, Gerome proposed to Sharon, and they married 6 months later in the Oakwood College campus church. In the words of Gerome “She was my first love, my sweetheart, best friend and love of my life.”

After marrying the love of her life, Sharon Leacock later worked at Bailers University Medical Hospital in Texas where she specialized in Oncological Transplantation Research in the laboratory. She later transitioned and became a Biology Highschool Teacher at Humble Christian School in Texas. She continued to share her kind heart and disciplined nature with a joyful spirit and sweet disposition to her students, whom she called her “children”. Her students adored everything about her. From her up-beat energy to her famous British sayings of “Oi” in the classroom, she gave love and was beloved. She

started a lady’s group in the school called Women of Grace to encourage all her young ladies to follow the path God had for each one of them.

One student named Rachel said, “Mrs. Leacock I love the smile that’s always on your face every time you walk in homeroom… I’ve always appreciated your sweet and loving spirit that’s always there to encourage and lift me up whenever I’m down. Most importantly, the love of God is evident in your life. You’re my favorite teacher and no matter what anyone says, you’re the Best and Always will be! I love you always.” Another student named Sabrina said aptly, “Words can never tell how much you mean to me. I love you Always!” When it was time to follow her husband back to Oakwood College her students gifted her many things, including a large binder of pictures and words of love and gratitude.

Later the young couple Gerome and Sharon Leacock welcomed into the world their two daughters Julia and then Angelina. In their words these two daughters were the pride and joys of their life.

The young family migrated into the life of a pastoral family after Gerome Leacock graduated from the Seminary at Andrews University. Some may say she gave up her dreams to follow Gerome Leacock as a pastor’s wife and mother to two daughters. Yet in her own words she describes her life at that time, as “my dreams being fulfilled, and my life is full”. She used her knowledge and skills to homeschool her two daughters from kindergarten all the way to high school. She not only dedicated her life to her family, but she was also a dedicated servant to God.

As a pastor’s wife she stood by her husband and supported his ministry in many ways, for example, she enjoyed singing and together they built family, marital and health seminars together. She also enjoyed organizing social nights for church families and the community to celebrate together.

One of her less recognizable roles was after her husband preached, and the sanctuary was empty, she would stay back to sit, listen and pray with anyone who felt too shy or nervous to ask for public prayer in church. In that little front pew, she would listen in silence, counsel through prayer, and console anyone in need. After a time, she would quietly come down to join in Sabbath luncheon or other activities. Often, she would cook for those who never voiced their hunger to others but came quietly to her. She would often tell her daughters, “I may not have the ability to speak as powerfully or as dynamic as your father, but I can be a silent witness”. In the words of her family overseas and those in the US, Sharon, your witness was anything but silent.

She planned the most beautiful Christmas celebrations, and holiday gatherings, ones surrounded by love, joy and beauty. Sharon’s heart and life was one of beauty, grace, joy, giggles, adventure and smelling the roses. Not only did she plant lovely gardens at home or cook amazing food filled with spice and flavour. She made her life one full of flowers of beauty, elegance and grace. She filled her life with spices of love, joy, happiness, hope, prayer, and faithful trust in her Lord and Saviour.

Gerome Leacock in his own words said, “I married the love of my life. A gorgeous, beautiful woman with outward beauty and inward beauty. An intelligent wife and a fantastic woman.” The famous line of Gerome Leacock towards his wonderful wife was “She is so fine and she is all mine”.

In the words of her daughters Julia and Angelina, “We love you Mummy love, bunches and bunches and oodles and oodles. We miss you and will do our best to remain on the course you walked before us. We will continue to use your “spices of life” and sing and dance, and we will remember you with your lovely smiles and giggles. You were our heart, but now our heart is in Jesus, and we cannot think of a better place for our heart to be, love Your Poppets.

Sharon Maureen Leacock lived a life full of love, kindness, and joy. She will be remembered for her love and devotion to God and her family, generous nature, unshakable faith, her quiet yet powerful influence, and her enjoyment to unite and bring joy and love to those around her. “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her”. Now that she sleeps in Jesus, her legacy of love, grace, and joy will live on in the memories and hearts of her family, friends and all who knew her.

She is survived by her beloved Husband: Gerome Eduardo Leacock, Daughters: Julia M and Angelina M Leacock. Sister Patricia A. Powell, Brother Joshua X. Ince, Mother: Rose M. Ince, Uncle: Clifton, Aunts: Shirely, Evelyn, and Shirely. Brother-In-Laws: Beras, Rudolpho, Winston, and Saul. Sister-in-Laws: Prithi, Nola, Marcia, Angela, and Amy. Nieces: Amany, Lauren, Marie, Milana, Sarina, Jaime, Jada, and Maria. Nephews: Ryan, Joshua, Ivan, Enoch, Adrian, Scotty, Seth, and Samuel. Cousins: Christopher, Debbie, Suzan, Juliana, Claudette, Sean, Karl, Jeffrey, Jessica, Charmain, Clinton, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Deaven, Shanice, and Noah.