Sharon Faye Clark, devoted professor, volunteer
Sharon Faye Clark, 74, of Lewes, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 12, 2023, surrounded by family. She was born Aug. 7, 1948, in Staunton, Va., daughter of the late James William Clark Jr. and Ollie Christine (Hayslett) Clark.
She attended Westhampton College at the University of Richmond for her undergraduate degree and continued her studies at the University of Richmond, where she obtained her juris doctor degree in 1971. She was the only woman in her graduating class. She began her legal career working in private practice and then for the federal government for nearly a decade, before discovering her passion for teaching. Sharon then began an illustrious career as a professor at the University of Richmond, and various other colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and Virginia. She was honored to mentor future generations and to share her guidance and knowledge with countless students over the years. Her legacy of empowerment through education lives on in both her students and her family.
Sharon devoted her life to raising her daughter, Christophe, her pride and joy. She was a loving and supportive mother, who was always there for her family. Sharon was always ready to assist when it came to her daughter and her friends, whether serving as a Girl Scout troop leader or a high school class advisor. She was a dedicated community volunteer, who also served on the school board at Annville-Cleona School District in Lebanon County, Pa.
Nothing made Sharon happier than the birth of her grandchildren, as she had made it clear to all who knew her that she wanted to be a grandmother when she grew up. She was blessed with four grandchildren, who became her reason for living. Despite health issues, she was active in their lives attending baseball games and dance recitals, and planning weekly visits, where they did art and science projects, had lunch and watched movies.
Sharon valued experiences and making memories with loved ones overall and helped to broaden the horizons of friends and family by introducing them to her passion for music, arts, history and travel. In her free time, she loved traveling to Europe with her daughter, to the beach with family and friends, and a plethora of other adventures. As an avid tennis fan, she was thrilled to attend the US Open and Wimbledon with her daughter. Sharon was a loving and nurturing mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Sharon was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Sara Ashlee Clark. She is survived by her daughter, Christophe Clark Emmert and her husband William (Will) David Emmert Jr. of Lewes; her grandchildren: Kinsley, William III (Liam), Lillian and Andrew; her siblings: James Clark and his wife Charlotte of Martinsville, Va.; Kathryn Hall of Portsmouth, Va.; and Deborah Francis and her husband Robert of Perkasie, Pa; and her numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Sharon's memory to Delaware Community Foundation, Sharon F. Clark Memorial Fund, 36 The Circle Georgetown, DE 19947, delcf.org/donations/sharon-f-clark-memorial-fund.
Visit Sharon's Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
