Richard L. Sharp, a native of Decatur, spent more than 50 years serving Alabama Baptist churches. He passed away Jan. 16 at the age of 87.
Sharp felt called into the ministry while he and his wife, Lorene, were members at First Baptist Church, Anniston.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham and began to serve as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Columbiana. He also served Liberty Hill Baptist Church, Clanton; South Highlands Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa; Grandview Baptist Church, Dothan; Hilldale Baptist Church, Center Point; Westmeade Baptist Church, Decatur; and Selma Baptist Church, Dothan, before retiring. He later began serving as an interim pastor at Pleasant Plains Baptist Church, Columbia, but ended up serving the church as pastor for 17 years before retiring again in 2004.
Sharp is preceded in death by his wife, Lorene. He is survived by three children, 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
(Neisha Fuson)
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