Obituary of Robert Howell Sharp

Robert Howell Sharp, 79, widower of Donna Katherine Hartis Sharp, died Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at National Healthcare Center. Born in Birmingham, Al he was the son of the late Rev. Sam Howell Sharp and Alma Wampler Sharp. Mr. Sharp was a member of Sumter First Church of God and never hesitated to give God the credit for his success and instilled that same belief in his children. Bob was well known in the Sumter Community for two things, racing cars and being a savvy business man. He began his business career in the mid-60s when he opened Sharp Construction Company which became an iconic brand in the local construction community for nearly half of a century. He was also the owner of A Mobile Storage Co., Stateburg Housing Center, and a former hotel proprietor. He was a former advisory board member for BB&T and was awarded the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year in 2007. He was also the former owner and promoter of Sumter Speedway and was inducted into the Sumter County Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the track which included seven points championships and over 200 victories. He held firm the belief that since he had been so blessed, that he should share that blessing and did so graciously for many family members, friends, employees, and members of the community. He will be affectionately remembered as a true “Man’s Man” and was friends with anyone with whom he came in contact with. He will especially be remembered for his devotion and love of his “girls” and the incredible father, grandfather, husband and friend that he was. Surviving are four daughters, Cindy Scheele (Larry) of Sumter, Rea Maynard (Kevin) of Aiken, Alison Watford (Kevin) of Sumter, and Bobbie Owens (Jake) of Sumter, nine grandchildren, Harold Turner (Katie), Caroline Turner Cromer (Justin), Sharp Turner, Rebecca Glancy, Kaitlind Ellrich (Erik), Sam Watford, Lindy Watford, Madeline Owens, and Hall Owens; four great grandchildren, Sutton Turner, Scout Turner , Easton Ellrich and Royce Ellrich; brother, Richard Sharp (Donna)of Indiana; sister, Emily White (Peyton) of Orangeburg; three step daughters, Melissa Lickert (David), Carey Laxton and Kristi Knight (Jeremy) and their extended families. Funeral Services will be held at 3 P.M. Sunday at the Sumter First Church of God with Rev. Ron Bower officiating. Burial will follow in the Sumter Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Harold Turner, Sharp Turner, Sam Watford, Hall Owens and Justin Cromer, Erik Ellrich and Hayes Goodson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bubba Rabon, Denny Somheil, The Honorable Judge Howard King, members of the Breakfast Club, Jay McElveen, James Parrott, Joe Jordan, Jay Lamoureaux, Larry Braxton and Sheldon Seruya. The family will receive friends from 2 P.M. to 3 P.M. Sunday at Sumter First Church of God. Memorials may be made to the Sumter First Church of God Building Fund. On-line condolences may be made to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral and Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements