Margaret Anne Boland Sharpe

Born on March 4, 1935, in Caswell County, North Carolina, Margaret was the middle child of three born to Irma Maude Fuqua Boland and Thomas Alexander Boland. She was predeceased by her parents and by her beloved older sister, Iris Abernathy.

Margaret met the love of her life, Ronald Vernett Sharpe, when she was just six years old. They began dating at fifteen and were married when they were twenty, beginning a lifelong partnership grounded in faith, devotion, and deep affection. Together they built a family that became Margaret’s greatest joy.

She studied piano at Elon College and Meredith College, nurturing a gift that would shape her life’s work. In 1965, Margaret was hired by Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh to direct its music program. For nearly two decades, she faithfully led and enriched the church’s musical life. Even after retiring from her position as Director of Music, she remained an active and devoted member of the congregation, singing in the choir for decades more.

Margaret is survived by her loving husband, Ronald Vernett Sharpe; her younger sister, Thomasene Moton; her children, Kathleen Cameron Margaret Sharpe, Ronald Boyd Sharpe and his wife Wendy, and Brent Boland Sharpe and his wife Michelle; her grandchildren, Margaret Sturgis Reynolds and her husband Luke, Jonathan Thomas Sturgis and his wife Michelle, Christopher Cameron Sturgis and his wife Kayla, Victoria Sharpe Clements and her husband Bryant, Allison Iris Sharpe, and Ronald Drake Sharpe; and her great-grandchildren, Margaret Isabella Reynolds (Margaret and Luke), Virginia Brent Reynolds (Margaret and Luke), Cameron Jean Sturgis (Christopher and Kayla), Piper Logan Sturgis (Jonathan and Michelle), Olivia Mae Sturgis (Jonathan and Michelle), Wyatt Love Clements (Victoria and Bryant), and Wren Iris Clements (Victoria and Bryant), along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family members who were dear to her heart.

She was the most patient, caring, loving, and uplifting person. Margaret made certain that everyone she loved knew it — she never missed a chance to say “I love you” each time she saw them. Her warmth, steadiness, and unwavering encouragement will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

Her life of faith and music was beautifully reflected in the words of her favorite hymn, Be Thou My Vision:

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that thou art.

Thou my best thought, by day or by night;

Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm Thursday, March 5th, 2026 at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC. Visitation with the family and a reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to: Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church Music Program, 4921 Six Forks Rd. Raleigh, NC 27609.