Mrs. Joanne Cowart Sharpe, age 86, died Monday, December 2, 2019 at her residence.

She was born in Tattnall County and grew up in Savannah. She graduated from Millen High School and worked as an operator at Southern Bell. She later worked many years as secretary of Millen Baptist Church. After spending a number of years at home caring for her ill son, Steve, she went to work at the Bank of Millen from where she retired in the early 1990's. Joanne was a very talented seamstress and an excellent cook. She was loved by all who knew her and was affectionately known as "Grammy" by most of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mrs. Sharpe was preceded in death by her husband Morgan Sharpe, Jr., and son, Stephen Howard Sharpe

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Wednesday at Crowe-Fields Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be 2:00 pm Thursday at Millen Cemetery with Rev. Brad Asbury, Rev. Finley Limehouse and Dr. Maurice Crowder officiating.

Survivors include her son, Ricky Sharpe; two daughters, Brenda Sharpe and Lisa Birdwell of Millen; grandchildren, Shelly Ann Sharpe, Augusta, Allison Sharpe McMillan, Cleveland, Jackson Richard Sharpe, Atlanta, Stephen Cody Birdwell and Morgan Cale Birdwell both of Millen; great grandchildren, Steven Sharpe, Millen, Paige Sharpe, Augusta, Cayden Sharpe, Augusta, Megan McMillan, Morgan Nix, and Mikalli McMillan, Cleveland, Weston Birdwell, Millen, and Jax Sharpe of Sylvania; a great great grandchild, Marley McMillan; a brother, Maj. Jerry Cowart, Beaufort, SC; Brother-in-law, Julian Sharpe (Barbara), Warner Robins; sister-in-law, Claudine Sharpe of Millen; nine nieces and a nephew.

Pallbearers will be Dave Waters, Kirk Rocker, Dr. Johnny Christian, Tracy Edenfield, Jody Bowers, Ed Fuller, Tim Frawley, and Benny Cowart.