Sharon Ann Martin
Sharon Ann Martin passed away peacefully on May 23, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri due to a rare disease called amyloidosis. She was 62 years old.
Sharon was born in Dallas, Texas on April 14, 1953. The Martin family moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1962. Sharon graduated from Parkway Central High School in 1971. She attended the University of Missouri, in Columbia, Missouri over the next four years. She began studying the Bible and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 4, 1975. She left college before finishing her degree due to her strong desire to spend her time helping others learn Bible truths. She stayed in Columbia, ran a small cleaning business, and studied the Bible with many people.
Her concern for Chinese people led her to learn Mandarin Chinese and move to Taipei, Taiwan in 1990 to assist in the Bible educational work carried on by Jehovah’s Witnesses there. She lived in Taiwan for about 15 years and helped many Taiwanese develop a faith in God and his Word. She supported her volunteer work by teaching children English in various language centers in Taipei. While overseas, Sharon completed her degree, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies (with depth areas in Psychology and Chemistry) with the University of the State of New York and a Masters of Education in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from St. Petersburg State University.
Sharon traveled to many places, including Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Hawaii, China, Italy, and Germany. She got to snorkel in the beautiful waters of Saipan and swim with the non-stinging jellyfish. She went horseback riding in Inner Mongolia and slept in a yurt. She met and befriended many fellow Witnesses in countries around the world.
Sharon moved back to St. Louis, Missouri in 2005 after a bout with cancer. She continued in her preaching and teaching work in the St. Louis area and was a member of the Chinese Congregation at the Manchester Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Her love for God and neighbor moved her to spend 34 years of her adult life as a full-time volunteer in a Bible educational work.
In addition to her love for spiritual things, she enjoyed reading, playing guitar, oil painting, horseback riding, playing cards with friends, and hiking.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents. She is survived by her parents Dorothy and George Martin, Jr. (St. Louis, MO), sister Rebecca Stidham (Columbia, MO), brother-in-law Allen Stidham (Columbia, MO), brother Michael Martin (St. Louis, MO), and brother Christopher Martin (Columbia, MO).
A memorial service will be held at 3pm, Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the Manchester Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 115 Baxter Road, Ballwin, Missouri, with Joel Lattanzi officiating.
Although she never married or had children, she has many spiritual children and grandchildren. Her self-sacrificing spirit and love for others will be missed by all who knew her.
Dear Family of Sharon, may Jehovah continue to comfort you with his great love as we all look forward soon to the resurrection and the continuation of our friendships and serving Jehovah with healthy bodies. Sharon, as you know, was an encouragement to everyone that knew her and I only hope to try to do the same as she followed Jesus steps closely. I know the love and comfort her family gave her and I pray that Jehovah will continue to bless all your hard work. Love, Beverly Park. Isaiah 25:8,9
Dear Family…the last thing Sharon said to me was “see you on the other side”…she will be there, now we must have great love & loyalty for our father and be there also. Love Tyler Ro 14:8
Dear Family, we have a one more reason to continue strong in faith in order to meet her again in the new world. She was my best friend and mentor and I can now understand the deep pain of David after Jonathan died. Chinese often talk about “jiajiao” meaning good family education someone received at home and therefore became an excellent person. You did a wonderful job! Job 14:15
Dear Martin Family,
As you know, Sharon knocked on our door in 1979. That was the beginning of a relationship that enriched our family beyond measure. Sharon’s zeal was contagious. She showed amazing faith and courage.
Sharon’s wisdom and spiritual stability were reliable sources of comfort and encouragement. She was also great fun.
Actually, one day on the Manchester KH parking lot a few years ago, Sharon sort of out of the blue looked at me and said, “We’re going to have SO much fun!”
We love you all very much. Luke 20:38
When we thnk of Sharon, we think of a courageous lover of truth and a hard worker. What a record of loyalty to all her friends and especially her best friend Jehovah. She will never regret how she used her years to help others to know Jehovah. We are one day closer to the promise our Heavenly Father has given at Isaiah 26:19″your dead will live…awake and shout out joyfully, you residents in the dust!” We look forward to that day she “all those powerless in death will come to life.” Her outstanding positive example is one we want to imitate. She always had something an encouraging word at the right time for everyone.
Dear Family, so many wonderful things to share about Sharon – I could not spend time with her and not be infused with joy and excitement about our service to Jehovah. My favouritest thought about her is that everytime she saw me she would kiss me on both cheeks. It would tickle my heart and transport me back to my home country. Culturally that is what my family would do. Her insight into different cultures was phenomenal. I cannot help smile and have a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart whenever I think of her. Is 40:31, 41:10,13
I remember the first time I met Sharon. She drove into the KH parking lot on her motorcycle, wearing blue jeans and ready to study. As a teenager I thought” you can’t get any cooler than that!” My Brother and his wife studied with Sharon, Sharon and Becky studied with my youngest brother. Sharon lived with my mother for a short time and they temp special pioneered in West Virginia for a summer. The list goes on. I am convinced that my family would not be complete without Sharon. I love her, miss her and look forward to beating her in cards, playing Pitch, soon in the new system. Never good by, just see you soon.
I have many wonderful memories of Sharon but the one that stands out to me is the way her eyes would light up when she would see you. Always making you feel truly loved by her. I can’t wait to see that expression of love again that I know she gave everyone.
Even though we have faith in the future resurrection of Sharon, we are still saddened by her passing away. We are confident that all of her many friends and family will receive great comfort from the “God of all comfort, Jehovah” during this difficutl time. Over the years Sharon developed a name with Jehovah that will never be forgotten. She enriched the lives of many by sharing her faith through the volunteer ministry that became the focus of her life. Now she is included in the “great cloud of Witnesses surrounding us.”
I learned so much from Sharon’s faith, zeal, joy, and her way of teaching and reasoning with others about the bible. She impressed me by her knowledge of the bible and how she applied them in the ministry. She is very logical and deep thinker. I benefit so much from observing her teaching others about our creator and her good comments at meetings. She is always upbuilding and encouraging. She set a wonderful example for me to follow. Although sharon is now sleeping in Jehovah’s memory, her smile and words are still vividly alive in my heart as if she just went on a long trip to another country. We know that she will not just be missed by U.S.; Jehovah will miss her too and will wake her up in appropriate time to enjoy a perfect life in a paradised earth( job 14:14-15)
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What a spiritual heritage Sharon has that will continue on right into the new system. At times like this we truly see that death is an “enemy”. What comfort we have that Sharon is resting now and will awaken soon in a beautiful new world.
Sharon is what we want our girls to become, a pioneer at every living moment and a courageous warrior of the fine fight. The joy she had for Jehovah and helping others share that with him helped impact our marriage and ministry together. She will always be a part of my first years here in Taiwan, we love you “sis!”, very much. To her family: thank you for sharing her with us, I don’t know what it would have been like without her here. Her songs, stories, and zeal will make us smile all the way to the other side.
We wish our son could have known Sharon better. Then he would know what kind of person we want him to be. Sharon says “Qingmei (Mark), you are here,” With joyful and loving voice and gentle touch when we see her. It’s so relaxing, enjoyable and encouraging to be with Sharon. Sharon made people better. Isn’t that an amazing thing? I am seeing her in paradise now.
To George,Dorothy,Becky,Chris and Mike.
Words can do little justice when we speak of a faithful witness of Jehovah as Sharon was. As you know, my knowing Sharon goes back a long time when I first met her on break from MO Univ. and her mother insisted I speak with her and get her in the Truth. After just a few conversations and a few games of tennis, that groundwork was easily laid. That conversation always came up each time we met. Her presence will be missed for but a short time, as we await the wonderful hope of the resurrection that will reunite many for better times ahead. May Jehovah’s blessing and comfort be with you. Jerry and Karla James
Dear Martin family,
Thanks for contacting me, Becky. You have all been in our daily prayers, especially you, bro. and sis. Martin, how we feel for you. It was said that with the loss of each loved one we are left with a hole in ourselves that can never be filled until that one is resurrected and back with us again… How we miss Sharon. She was wise, patient, loyal, zealous, interesting – especially with spiritual discussions, and enjoyable – qualities that make her the perfect friend and roommate.
I am glad that we met all of you as well. We continue to keep you in our prayers.
Much love, Rodney and Laura Speck
I am sad to learn that Sharon already passed away. I met her in Taipei in 1996. I studied the bible with her. I am now a baprized JW, thanks to Sharon who was both a sister and friend to me. She was such a zealous sister.
When in the Philippines, I was asking about here whereabouts. Nobody gave me any indfo. I wanted to tell her that I am already baptized. I know she’d be happy.
I was wishing I could meet her here in the States.
But anyway, will meet her again in Paradise.