Kathleen Eleanor Sharp Wallace
Kathleen Eleanor Sharp Wallace, 96, of Andersonville walked into the arms of her Lord on Jan. 29, 2026.
She was born March 14, 1929, in Bloomington, Illinois, to Leonard and Kathleen (Eberle) Sharp. She was raised in Andersonville with her older sister, Ruth McCarty; younger sister, Marie Ann; and younger brother, Keith Sharp. She attended Andersonville School and graduated from Norris High School. Kathleen met her future husband and the love of her life at Andersonville School. They were married Nov. 3, 1947, and shared 65 joyful years before Joe’s passing in 2013.
Kathleen was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Andersonville, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and was active in the Delta Rho Sunday School Class.
She spent countless hours ministering to her local community through meals, visits, cards, and prayers. Her family and many friends were blessed with years of Sunday dinners at Granny’s. Kathleen prepared the food, but Joe peeled the potatoes.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Wallace; infant daughter, Tonya Marie; her parents, Leonard and Kathleen Sharp; sister, Ruth McCarty; and brother, Keith Sharp.
She is survived by her children, Joe Wallace Jr. and wife, Sheila, of Andersonville, Ann W. Wheeler, of Andersonville, Dr. Rebecca Broadbent and husband, Andrew, of Brevard, North Carolina; grandchildren, Emily (Frits) Haverkamp, Amanda (Walter) Mayes, Julie Wallace (Chris Harris), Melissa (Lance) Freeman, Jayme (Patrick) Smith, Aaron Wheeler, Rachel Broadbent (Jack Figueroa), and Alexa (Geoff) Saltarelli; and great-grandchildren, Foust and Malon Haverkamp; Allie and Eberle Mayes; Ansley and Josie Freeman; Anna Kay Smith; Clayton and Bailey Wheeler; and Romi Saltarelli.
She is also survived by her sister, Marie Ann McCarty of Kansas City, Missouri; sister-in-law, Mary Thomas of Knoxville; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Kathleen had a strong work ethic and was rarely idle. She and her husband, Joe, owned and operated a general store in Andersonville. She later worked as a receptionist for Dr. Hall and Dr. Heddon in Clinton, as a secretary for Farm Bureau in Clinton, and most recently as a secretary for the Anderson County Highway Department. When not working, Kathleen enjoyed reading, doing word puzzles, creating cross-stitch, studying the Bible, going to the lake, and keeping Joe out of trouble.
Kathleen was an avid sports fan and spent many hours watching her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. If one of her family members was participating in something, she was there to watch.
She will be remembered for her quick wit, warm laugh, love of card games, and the open door of her welcoming home. Kathleen was the true family matriarch. Her home was the gathering place for generations of family, and she will be deeply missed by all.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Andersonville, and the funeral followed, officiated by Jerry Loveday. The interment service will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, at 11 a.m. at Andersonville Cemetery.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home is proud to be serving the Wallace family during this difficult time.
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