Lola Agnes Crawford Sharp

Lola Agnes Crawford Sharp, age 93, of Jefferson City, TN passed away Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Serenity House in Morristown, TN. She was born March 8, 1932. She grew up on a farm on Chucky Pike-where Wal-Mart stands today. Growing up, she loved driving the tractor while her brothers loaded bales of hay on the wagon.

She attended Carson-Newman College, where as a student she worked as attendance secretary. During the mandatory chapel services, she sat in the balcony of First Baptist Church where she could see all students to mark attendance. She graduated in 1954 with a BS degree and a teaching certificate in Home Economics. After graduation, she taught typing and shorthand at Jefferson City High School from 1954-1957. Fun conversations years later with former students-some only a few years younger-delighted in reminding her how young she had been when she taught them. From 1965-1971, Agnes worked as an assistant teacher in the PK program for the CNC preschool department. In 1971 she began her long career at Jefferson Elementary School as a Kindergarten teacher, retiring in 1994. Her family was amazed at her ability to recognize and recall the names of students she had taught decades earlier.

Agnes and her husband of 60 years, Bobby J. Sharp, raised 3 daughters. Her children and grandchildren often gathered around the table for their favorite meals and desserts. She found great joy in tending her flower gardens, sharing seeds and plants and exchanging cuttings with friends and neighbors. Known to her family for her homemade chocolate chip cookies, she guarded the recipe closely. Only recently, a few family members have taken on the responsibility to replicate them getting closer with every batch. Most family members have fond memories of hot cookies straight out of the oven during game nights that stretched past midnight.

Agnes was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church, Jefferson City, TN where she served in numerous roles including Sunday School teacher, scheduling acolytes, and financial secretary.

Agnes is preceded in death by her husband Bobby J. Sharp; parents Hugh D. Crawford and Anna Mann Crawford; her siblings, Gladys Manley, William Crawford, Charles Crawford, Jack Crawford, Tommy Crawford, and Mary Gombert; and her son-in-law Thomas F. Lawing.

She is survived by her daughters Jan (Robert) Stinson of Talbott, TN; Carolyn Lawing of Concord, NC; and Nina (Joe) Payne of Jefferson City, TN.

Grandchildren: Jennifer (Ryan) Ornelas of Dallas,TX; Walt (Laura) Stinson of Jefferson City, TN; Andrew (Krystin) Lawing of Baltimore, MD; Graham Lawing of Charlotte, NC; and Russell Payne of Jefferson City, TN.

Great grandchildren: Pierce and Willa Mae Ornelas, and Mabyn, Bristol and Linc Stinson and her sister Sarah Faye Hensley.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Serenity House and UT Hospice for their love, care and dedication during her final days. They also thank Taylor, April and staff at Charter Senior Living for their compassion and understanding of her strong-willed perseverance.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Thomas S. Teague Concert Series or The Gathering, Respite Ministry at First United Methodist Church, Jefferson City, TN.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, November 25, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. with a service to follow at First United Methodist Church, Jefferson City. A graveside service will immediately follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens.