John Phillip Sharp, age 86, of Ethridge, TN passed away Thursday, January 04, 2024, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. He was a native of Ethridge, TN, Owner and Chairman of Sharp Transport, and a member of Ethridge Church of Christ where he served as a former elder. He was also a member of the Tennessee Trucking Association, Truckload Carriers Association, and the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association.
Mr. Sharp was born in Waterloo, AL, and moved to Ethridge, TN when he was nine years old. His family had purchased farmland to continue farming after their Alabama farm was bought by TVA to create Pickwick Lake. At the age of 12, Mr. Sharp’s father died unexpectedly which landed the responsibility of running the farm on Mr. Sharp and his siblings. He continued to farm over the years and up until his death growing corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and hay. Mr. Sharp also loved Tennessee Walking horses and raised hundreds of horses over the years. He passed the love for horses onto his family, especially his grandsons.
Shortly after graduating from high school, Mr. Sharp began working at Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company in the shipping department where he worked for 17 years. Mr. Sharp met the love of his life of 64 years, Rebecca Bonner Sharp, and they began their family in Ethridge, TN where they raised three daughters. In 1979 he started Sharp Transport which over the course of 42 years became one of the largest family-owned truckload fleets in Middle Tennessee. Over the years Mr. Sharp employed hundreds of people who became like family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben Faires and Pearl Bell Balentine Sharp; one brother, Lawrence Sharp; and one grandson, Andy Adkins.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Bonner Sharp of Ethridge, TN; three daughters, Ginger Sharp Stutts (Bill) of Lawrenceburg, TN, Angie Sharp Ezell (John) of Ethridge, TN, and Allie Sharp Schwalb of Brentwood, TN; one sister, Jo Carolyn Hudson of Ethridge, TN; one brother, Ben Sharp of Nashville, TN; seven grandchildren, Chase Adkins (Jordan) of Ethridge, TN, Matthew Adkins of Lawrenceburg, TN, Balee Schwalb of Austin, TX, Libby Schwalb of Franklin, TN, Victoria O’Hara of Clarksville, TN, Nellie Kate Ezell of Lawrenceburg, TN, and Jackson Ezell of Chattanooga, TN; and special “adopted” grandson, employee, and caregiver, Enos Mast. Six great-grandchildren, Charlie Kate Adkins, Ellie Reese Adkins, Emmett Ann Adkins, Braxton Adkins, Annie Beth Adkins, and Layla O’Hara.
The family would like to thank Kendra Brazier-McConnell, Olivia Willis, and Tamorah Dotson for their exceptional care.
Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturday, January 06, 2024, at Neal Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at Ethridge Church of Christ at 2:00 PM Sunday, January 07, 2024, with Kirt Hughett officiating. Mr. Sharp will lie in state at the church from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at John Lay Cemetery in Ethridge, TN. The family suggests memorials be made to the Ethridge Church of Christ Building Fund.
