Madalyn Gerrard

Matthews - Madalyn Isabell Sharp Gerrard, 99, passed away Friday, October 31, 2014 at Plantation Estates in Matthews, N.C. She was formerly of Charlotte and had lived in Mt. Prospect, Illinois for 36 years. Born near Humphreys, Missouri, October 1, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Thurman James Sharp and Celia Belle Constant Sharp. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Ollie Athen, Marie Emory and Lucille Davis.

Precious memories are left to her survivors: her husband of 77 years, Rolland Edward Gerrard of Matthews; two sons, Edward Rolland (Donna) of Hickory, and Robert Allen (Jackie) of Mooresville, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Robin Gerrard of Atlanta, Edward Gerrard, Jr. (Bethany) of Hickory, and Bryan Gerrard (Jamie) of Charlotte, Kimberly Gerrard Raber (Jeff) of Cincinnati, Ohio and Nancy Gerrard O’Toole (John) of Westlake, Ohio, David Gerrard (Stacy) of Mooresville, and Leslie Gerrard (Matthew) of Harrisonburg, Virginia; thirteen great-grandchildren, Mia and Aaron Kessler of Atlanta, Alex and Holly Woodworth of Ohio, Grace, Michael and Simon O’Toole of Ohio, Lydia, Adam and Evelyn Gerrard of Hickory, Anna Leigh Gerrard of Mooresville, and Ava Madalyn and Scarlett Gerrard of Charlotte; and one great-great-grandchild, Gwenevere Grace Woodworth of Ohio.

Others who will remember her nurturing are her beloved foster child, Elizabeth Squires (Jim) of Charlotte, and sons, Charlie (Jennifer) and Robert (Christina); and foster child, Tony Lazzaroni of Janesville, Wisconsin.

Madalyn graduated from Tri State Business College in Angola, Indiana in 1937. She was a homemaker who loved her family and church. She was a Cub Scout den mother and active in her Alter Guild at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. She served on the Saint Francis board for St. Mary’s Home for Children in Chicago and organized an auxiliary for Mary Thompson Hospital for Women and Children. She was also an associate of the Community of St. Mary’s, an Anglican religious order. Madalyn and her husband were active members of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte for many years.

The inurnment will take place at the columbarium at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Carmel Rd. in Charlotte at a later date. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte or Plantation Estates in Matthews, N.C.