Judith "Judy" Van Houten Sharpe

[Swansea, SC] – Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Judy Sharpe passed away peacefully on January 3 at the age of 75, leaving behind a world made brighter by her presence and a family forever shaped by her boundless love.

 Born April 20, 1950 in Langdale, Alabama, Judy was the heart of her home, a woman of remarkable kindness, resilience, stubbornness, and strength whose life was a beautiful tapestry woven with love and laughter. She was a devoted wife to Johnnie of 55 years, a cherished mother to Anna, Doug (Michelle), and Bryan (Anne), a doting grandmother to Justin (Elizabeth), Douglas (DJ), Cottia, and Eva and a loving great grandmother to Carter Rae and Lainey, who all knew her as the Alabama “Roll Tide” loving, Swansea Tiger cheering, beach going, God fearing MawMaw. She was a loving sister to Billie Jean Bartlett, Juanita (Leslie) Crowder, Johnny (Martha) Van Houten, and Barry (Carolyn) Van Houten and fierce defender of all her Bama family. 

Her hands were rarely still, whether tending her plants, filling the house with the aroma of her famous broccoli casserole and chocolate delight, traveling round the state in the camper, volunteering with the youth group or going on mission trips. She taught us to "live life to the fullest " through her actions, living the last 13 years on borrowed time after her liver transplant. 

She loved unconditionally and would move hell and high water for those she protected. She showed us what it meant to be a strong, independent, hardworking , fiercely-loving woman. She was our guiding light, our shoulder to lean on, and the constant source of unconditional love that made us who we are. Her legacy isn't just in the memories we hold, but in the strength, compassion, and joy she instilled in us all.

She is preceded in death by her beloved parents John Douglas and Madge Van Houten and her sister Josephine Caldwell.

A service to celebrate her extraordinary life will be held at Swansea First Baptist Church, Swansea, SC on Wednesday, January 7 at 12:00 PM. Visitation will be held at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Donate Life in memory of her gift of life or to Swansea First Baptist Church. 

Culler-McAlhany Funeral Home is assisting the family.