Thelma "Sharon" Mearse

Thelma Sharon Mearse, 86, of Odessa, died Thursday, May 20, 2021.  The family will be receiving visitors, Monday, May 24, 2021 from 5-7 pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Odessa, TX. Funeral service will be at First Baptist Church of Odessa, Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 10 am with Dr. Mark Rotramel officiating. Burial will be at Simpson Cemetery in Kokomo, TX on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 11:00 am.

Sharon was born September 8, 1934 in Jones County, Texas to the Reverend Joseph Weldon O’Neal and Thelma Scott O’Neal. She graduated from O’Donnell High School and attended Howard County Community College. She graduated from The University of Texas of The Permian Basin with a degree in vocal music and education.

Sharon was a longtime educator in the Ector County School District and retired from Pease Elementary. She was loved and respected by her students and her influence is still carrying on today. She was involved in church all of her life and learned to play the piano as a small child to help support her father’s ministry. She also served, at various times, as church secretary, church pianist and organist, and also sang in the church choir. She was involved in the Odessa College Chorale and toured with them for ten years, going all over the US and parts of Europe. Music was truly her passion.

She was affectionately known by many as Granny or Granny Sharon and her signature trademark was her bright red lipstick and bright red fingernails. Her grandchildren were often covered in red lipstick kisses.

Sharon married her love, Nathan Eugene Mearse on September 22, 1951 in Plainview, Texas. They were happily married until his death in November of 1996. Sharon later married Roy L Davis on March 8, 2002 in Odessa, Texas and they were married until his death in September 2014.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Thelma O’Neal, husbands, Nathan Mearse and Roy Davis, her brother, Joseph O’Neal Jr., and sister Johnny Beth Shackelford.

Those left to cherish her memories are her daughters, Lanice Hardin, Denice Redman (Rodney), and Teresa Rotramel (Mark); Her sons, Mike Davis (Karen), Mark Davis (Finlan), Tim Davis (Imee), Stephen Davis; Nine grandchildren, Jeremy Ayala (Junior.), Matthew Freeman (Lacey), Christine Dewey, Brian Redman (Jessica), Cliff Freeman (Laura), Brandon Rotramel, Blake Freeman, Collin Rotramel (Xylina), Lauren Beadle (Jon) and 23 cherished great grandchildren.

Although we miss her dearly, we know that she is finally home with Jesus!

Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Brookdale Sherwood Assisted Living. She loved each and every one of you with all of her heart!  It was a comfort to know that you loved her too. It was a wonderful feeling knowing we could entrust our mother’s care to you. You are greatly loved and appreciated.

We’d like to also thank Odessa Hospice for the attentive support for mom and for us. It was a comfort knowing that you were always willing to help.