Reverend Joseph Lindell Sharp Sr.

Joseph Sharp ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Rush Funeral Home - Pineville on Mar. 16, 2026.Funeral services for Reverend Joseph Lindell Sharp will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in the Chapel of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville, with Reverend Daniel Goodman officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Bay Springs Cemetery, Chopin, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville.Reverend Sharp, 87, of Lena, entered eternal rest on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Legacy Nursing Home, Pollock, LA.Reverend Joe Sharp grew up in Sharp, Louisiana, and was a proud 1957 graduate of Boyce High School. On November 29, 1957, he married the love of his life, Barbara Knight, in Fayette, Mississippi, beginning a lifelong partnership devoted to faith, family, and ministry.Reverend Sharp pursued his calling to ministry through his education, earning a bachelor's degree from Bible Baptist Seminary in Arlington. He later received a master's degree, as well as a PhD in Biblical Studies and in Biblical Counseling from Louisiana Baptist University in Shreveport.Answering God's call to preach in 1963, Reverend Sharp faithfully dedicated his life to the work of the ministry. He served as pastor of the church and administrator of Airbase Baptist School for thirty-nine years. During that time, he also taught an extension program of Baptist Christian College at the church for twenty-five years, helping train and equip many for Christian service.Reverend Sharp retired in March 2007, after pastoring for forty-four years. Even in retirement, his heart for ministry continued. He served as interim pastor at Gloryland Baptist Church, pastored Gospel Light Baptist Church in Pineville for four and a half years, and later served as pastor of Anchor Baptist Church in Tioga.Throughout his ministry, Reverend Sharp contributed to Christian education by writing four years of Bible college curriculum covering the entire King James Bible, along with additional courses for pastoral training.God richly blessed Reverend Sharp's ministry and influence since his surrender to preach in 1963, and his life stands as a testimony of faithful service to the Lord and dedication to the teaching of His Word.He was preceded in death by one son, Joseph L. Sharp, Jr.; and his parents, William and Fannie Sharp.Those left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory include his loving wife of sixty-eight years, Barbara Sharp of Boyce; two daughters, Rhonda Sue Sharp Powell (Percy) of Stanardsville, Virginia, and Gayla Annette Sharp Knight (Bruce) of Lena; six grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren, family members, and friends.Honored to serve as pallbearers are: Grady White, Bruce Knight, John Barton, Jr., James Adams, Curtis Tyndall, and Levi Knight.Friends may post online messages of condolences for the Sharp family by visiting www.rushfh.comTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.