Carolyn Sharman

Carolyn Sharman was born in Nebraska but raised in Newport Beach, California when it was just a fishing village. She remembered practicing for air raids during WW2, laying flat on the beach in back of her school.

She met Dick at the skating rink in Costa Mesa at 15. He walked back to his house to get his car to take her home. That was the first of many times skating, driving, and being together for the rest of their lives. Last August they had their 65th wedding anniversary.

Carolyn married Dick before her senior year of high school, and his second year of JC. They honeymooned in Blue Jay, and then they lived above the garage of Carolyn’s parents, in a tiny one-room apartment that was rented to summer beach-goers.

The next year, after Carolyn graduated from high school, they moved to a small two-room house in Costa Mesa. While in Costa Mesa they had their three children: Donna, Sandi, and Dick Jr.

They slowly moved north to Thousand Oaks then Santa Barbara and Goleta, California. There, Carolyn started Good News Clubs and was active in the church, as a growing Christian.

Moving to Santa Rosa, Carolyn got involved in the start of Bible Study Fellowship, where she became a leader, working with the woman who started the Bible Study Fellowship so many years ago.

From Santa Rosa, California, Dick and Carolyn moved to England with their two youngest children, Dick Jr and Sandi. Donna was married that spring and stayed in Santa Rosa with her new husband.

In England, Carolyn entertained the youth often, as her children brought them over. Dick Jr and Sandi went to an American base high school and Carolyn started to get involved with the women on the base. She started a Bible Study there and in the local church. She wanted people to know Jesus.

From England, Carolyn and Dick moved back to Southern California…near the beach that Carolyn loved. Again, Carolyn got involved in Bible Study at Evangelical Free Church in Fullerton, then many of the Woman’s Ministry things there. She loved to encourage women, as she had been encouraged in knowing Jesus’ grace and love and comfort. She also loved to laugh. Laughter was a part of difficult times as well as fun times.

Carolyn and Dick moved to Temecula, after Dick bought Exotic Materials for 10 dollars. Carolyn worked on phones and as a gopher person, just because she wanted to do it. She never would accept pay. She made sure that people were appreciated, bringing balloons and fun for birthdays, and caring for people in need in the company.
Carolyn has been so thankful that Dick allowed her to stay home with the children, be involved in Bible studies, and church ministry as he worked to provide for her and the family. Upon his retirement, they moved to Texas, near her sister Dorothy and husband Bob.

They also spent lots of time traveling around America by motorhome. They had traveled abroad and she didn’t want to do that more. She wanted to see America. Before retirement, they started motor homing to see if it would be a good fit for them. They loved the time together and exploring new places. Even this last fall, they traveled to Oklahoma and stayed in their motorhome by a beautiful lake.

Carolyn and Dick could be seen holding hands as they walked, even in the last months and days. Carolyn walked, with a cane in one hand and her dear, loving husband on the other side. So cute!

Carolyn has wanted her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends and acquaintances to know Jesus and his love for each of them. She has had a ministry in writing letters in the last few years, when getting out herself was not as possible. God’s word was prominent in word and letter, as well as family stories, history, and a little bit of something to make one laugh. Though rounded with info, the idea was to direct us all to our Maker and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Carolyn is survived by her husband of 65 years, Dick; her children, Donna Dias, Sandi Sharman, and Dick Sharman Jr; her 5 grandchildren Daniel Dias, David Dias,, Andrew Sharman, Joseph Sharman and Scott Sharman, and 10 great grandchildren. Also survived by her sister Evelyn Wallace, but preceded in death by her parents Fred and Gladys Woodworth, and siblings Fred Woodworth and Dorothy Heath.

The family will receive friends for visitation Monday, February 4, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Allen Family Funeral Options.  A funeral service to celebrate Carolyn's life will be Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 11:00 A.M.  Carolyn will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in Lavon, Texas.