Katherine "Gail" Gaillard Sharp

Gail was born on April 6, 1932 at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama to Thomas Robertson Ellison and Gertrude Frickhoeffer Ellison. She skipped first grade and was double promoted in the 5th grade graduating from Phillips High School in Birmingham at age 16. Her mother thought her too young to go college then so she worked 2 years at Moore Handley in Birmingham. She then matriculated to the University of Alabama graduating in 1953. While at Alabama she had many honors including being twice elected to be president of Phi Mu Sorority. Gail also received the Alger Sydney Sullivan Award for the most outstanding student at the University and was named a Corolla beauty. She later graduated with a master’s degree from UAB in counseling at age 50 and had a private practice for many years.

Upon graduation from Alabama, Gail taught English at McArthur Middle and Powell Elementary schools. She had met Charles Eugene Sharp Sr at the University Alabama but was unimpressed at that time. That changed years later when she saw Charlie home in his Navy uniform at the Cathedral Church of the Advent on Christmas Eve in 1955. They were married in 1958 and started a family.

Even though a young mother, she was active in her church and community. She was the first female senior warden at St Lukes's Episcopal Church and was a frequent pianist for Sunday school and vacation Bible school. During her life Gail sang in the Advent Choir, St. Luke’s Choir, Birmingham Choral Group and the Junior League of Birmingham Choir. She was active in the Service Guild, a forerunner of the Early Intervention Program. Gail was an active member and president of the Tremont Garden Club and Silhouettes Dance Club. She served on the board at Saint Anne's Home, a halfway house for women and St Martin's in the Pines Nursing home.

Most of all she was a devoted wife to her husband, Charles Eugene Sharp of 61 years and mother to her 4 children. Gail was preceded in death by her parents and husband, and her sister Anne Ellison Atwater. Gail is survived by her children, Charles Eugene Sharp, Jr. (Jane), Thomas Ellison Sharp (Cheryl), Samuel Witherspoon Sharp (Jeannine) and Katherine Gaillard Sharp and her grandchildren, Emily Sharp Bisceglia (Patrick), Charles Eugene Sharp III (Stephanie), William Christian Sharp, Jack Gaillard Sharp and Katherine Gaillard Sharp. Gail was also blessed with four great grandchildren, Jane Ellison Bisceglia, Henry Francis Bisceglia, Sophia Anne Sharp and Charles Eugene Sharp IV.

The family is grateful to the wonderful loving care provided by Barbara Bell, Diana Jackson, Tresa McConnico and Amanda James along with many other supportive hands.

A service will be held Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Cathedral Church of the Advent. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service at 1:00 pm in Clingman Commons at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made to The Cathedral Church of the Advent, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and St. Anne’s Home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Sharp family.