Sunday's Obituary: Norma Sharp

Norma Ann Sharp

August 23, 1937 - May 7, 2012

Mrs. Norma Ann Sharp, 74, of Philadelphia, MS died Monday, May 7, 2012 at Neshoba County Nursing Home in Philadelphia, MS.

She was a native of Brookings, SD and had been a resident of Philadelphia, MS since 1973. She formerly worked at Nemanco, Inc. and Wells-Lamont Corp. in Philadelphia, MS. Mrs. Sharp was Methodist by faith. She was a classic example of an army wife. She raised their family while her husband served in the military for 24 years, including tours in both Korea and Vietnam, until his retirement.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James (Jim) Sharp; parents, Pete and Hazel Carter; and brother, Larry (Bubby) Carter.

Survivors include daughters, Lori Sharp Vowell (Brian) of Columbus, MS and Angela Sharp Kelly (Jerry) of Philadelphia, MS; sons, Danny Sharp (Sharon) of Atlanta, GA, Joe Sharp (Donna) of Philadelphia, MS and Randy Sharp of Philadelphia, MS; grandchildren, Brent Vowell, Katie Vowell, Gunner Vowell, Mariah Kelly, Randi Kelly, Shondae Walker, Megan Day, Chris Sharp, Chad Sharp, Mandy Sharp, Colby Sharp, and Jaden Sharp; great-grandchild, Destiny Sharp; sisters, Dee Hust of Las Vegas, NV, Jeannette Crapser of Brookings, SD and Kay Cox of Brown City, MI; and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Obituary from McClain-Hays Funeral Home

Happy Easter!

Okay, normally I wouldn't do this, but I'm about to post one of those emails that gets forwarded over and over again.  I've convinced myself that since I've waited a year and am posting it to my blog, it isn't the same as forwarding the message via email.  Right?  Anyway, I think it's kind of cute, so here goes ...

All I need to know, I learned from the Easter Bunny:

• Don't put all your eggs in one basket. 
•  Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
• There's no such thing as too much candy.
• All work and no play can make you a basket case.
• A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.
• Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
• Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
• Some body parts should be floppy.
• Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans.
• Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.
• The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.
• To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.
• The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

Have a Hoppity Good Easter!!

Haktor Olsen Wicks Lineage

I received a nice tip via email recently in regards to the Wicks family line.  A Mr. Glen Larson has suggested I look up "Arnes Telles Slekt" to find out more about the Haktor Olsen Vika family.  Glen says that the Arnes Telles Slekt tree contains the complete line of Haktor Olsen, which indicates he has 10 children by three wives.

Here's one link I found:
http://www.tjellbjorn.net/phpgedview/indilist.php?surname=VIKA&ged=tjelle.ged

Just browsing through it quickly, it sure looks like the same line as our Haktor T Wicks and Haktor H Wicks line to me.  (See posts on Connecting Haktor to Haktor.) I'll have to take some time and go through it more thoroughly though.

Air Force names building after fallen Osprey pilot - Randy Voas

Randell Voas, a cousin in the Glenn/Dempster family line has been honored by the Air Force for his service.  Here's the beginning of the story from the U.S. Army  news:

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (Mar. 1, 2012) -- Maj. Randell D. Voas lost his life in a CV-22 crash in Afghanistan on April 9, 2010, but his legacy will now continue to influence future Aviators in the Air Force's 23rd Flying Training Squadron at Fort Rucker.

On Feb. 24, the squadron named its new consolidated operations center after Voas who was in the Army for eight years before transitioning to the Air Force where he flew missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and served as an instructor pilot for the 23rd FTS at Fort Rucker.

"I'm challenged to find a better name to put on this building," said Col. James Cardoso, commander of the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB, N.M., during his dedication ceremony address.

All Air Force helicopter pilots start their rotary-wing training with the 23rd FTS at Fort Rucker. "As we teach them the skills, it's appropriate that we also show them what they're going to be a part of," he said, adding that many of the instructors and evaluators currently with the 23rd FTS were trained or mentored by Voas.

He went on to say Voas was a "decorated combat Aviator, a quiet professional and a humble guy" who loved to instruct and pass on the lessons he'd learned during his time on the battlefield.

During the ceremony, much applause was given for each person on a list of honored guests, but the loudest applause was given to the members of the Voas Family. The late major's wife, Jill, and their two children, Maddeline and Mitchell, were there along with several other Family members.

Jo Kallemeyn, the mother of Voas, said the ceremony was "quite an honor for Randy's memory."

"The main thing I want and that our Family wants is that he's not forgotten," she said.

Kallemeyn said her son loved to fly. He was given the Cheney Award in 2003, an annual award given by the Air Force for an act of valor or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest, but she said his response was to say he was just doing his job. "But, he did it very well," she added.

"I have learned so much about Randy since this happened. He was my son, and we had good conversations, but I just never really understood the depth of his involvement and what he meant to so many people," she said.  
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Follow Friday: Portraits are more than a piece of paper

A friend shared the following post on Facebook and I just have to share it with you as well.

A photographer, Jeanine Thurston, received a letter from a former client that decided to cancel a portrait session and spend the several hundred dollars in other frivolous ways.  The client later learned that portraits are more than just pieces of paper.

Here's the letter Jeanine found on her doorstep:

July 2nd, 2011

Jeanine -
Today I am writing for a couple of reasons. I have some quiet time at the moment and need to get a couple of things off my mind. I will leave this for my husband to deliver to you when he is ready.

You photographed my wedding, you photographed my first pregnancy and my first baby. I contacted you awhile back to photograph my 2nd child and family. After getting prices and realizing I would want all of the pictures as we love your work – I decided against spending $500+ – which is what I normally spend for portraits and prints with you.. Please know it is not because I don’t value your amazing eye, or how much we love the experience.

That week that I decided to NOT do a session with you, this is how I spent some money.
On Sunday I called and cancelled our session. Monday I went out and got my hair cut ($39+tip), and colored ($65), Thursday I had my nails done ($24), my family went out to dinner at a somewhat expensive restaurant for no particular reason costing us $79 + tip. This was just 4 days since canceling our session, already totaling over $200 for unnecessary things. My nails only lasted about 2 weeks, my hair is gone, and seven weeks passed when I got the phone call from our doctor. It was not something I expected and the cancer has spread very quickly. I will be leaving my husband, my 6 year old girl and my now 2 year old – not by choice. It is very hard for me to talk about it which is why I need to write you.

I watch your Facebook page and your posts about the value of a photo and if I could give back all of those things that I purchased this few weeks after I cancelled my session with you, knowing what I know now, and have that session, well… I would do it in a heartbeat.
Now my time is done and there are no more chances for me. The next time someone cancels a session – my wish is that you forward this letter to them. Time is fragile, it is gone before you know you had it. If you charged $200 for one print it wouldn’t be enough for what it is actually worth. I cringe to think that my priorities were a manicure over a memory to pass onto my babies and husband.
My love and thanks for what you have given us from past photos. I am so sorry that I did not see it as more than paper until now.

Karen L.

I find this so true.  While digging through all the family photos that you've seen here on the blog and in photo albums, I've seen the faces of family members light up at the memories of those loved ones pictured.  The photos usually bring about some reminiscing, which of course helps with the genealogy!


Thanks go out to Jeanine for sharing this heartfelt letter on her blog over at Fototails Photography.

Wedding Wednesday: John Waage and Ida Wicks

A wedding announcement for John Waage and Ida Wicks appeared in the Roland Record on October 29, 1897.  John and Ida were married on October 23, 1897 in Story County, Iowa.

Four Couples Happily Married Within a Week.
WAAGE-WICKS

John Waage and Miss Ida Wicks were married at the east church in Roland, by Rev. Sandven, last Saturday.  A reception was afterwards held at teh Wicks home, north of town.  This couple is held in high esteem by those who are acqainted with them.

Source: http://rolandhistory.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewer.aspx?img=164109214.  A kind genealogist , Taco Goolouze, sent this link.  Thanks, Taco!