Elizabeth Gilliland Sharp

AIKEN, SC - Elizabeth was born to Irma R. and Harold E. Gilliland on September 16, 1925 in Pueblo, Colorado and died December 4, 2020 in Aiken, South Carolina.  She grew up in Las Animas, Colorado and graduated in 1946 Summa Cum Laude from Colorado College with a degree in Business Administration and Banking.  She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at CC.  She married Donald Sharp June 10, 1947 in Las Animas. 

     They moved to Sterling, Colorado in 1949 and soon purchased the Logan County Credit Bureau which they operated for almost three decades.  During that time, they raised their children and enjoyed many family adventures which included travel, skiing, golfing, fishing, and family. 

     Elizabeth was an adult Sunday School teacher, Bible Study leader, Presbyterian church elder, school board president, Northeastern Junior College board member, P.E.O. president, and a volunteer at school and for the Red Cross. She founded the Meals on Wheels program in Sterling. In recognition of her community contributions and volunteer efforts, she was recognized as Citizen of the Year in 1976.  

     Elizabeth was nominated as a candidate for the Colorado House of Representatives.  She won the primary for northeastern Colorado but lost in the general election by only eight votes.

     Soon after selling their family owned credit bureau business, they opened the firm Sharp and Sharp, a real estate appraisal firm, where Donald became an ARA, Accredited Rural Appraiser, and Elizabeth became a MAI, the highest designation in real estate appraisal.

     When they retired, home became Tucson, Arizona, returning each summer to Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  In both places they were active in tennis, golf, bridge, their church, and community activities. In Tucson, Elizabeth founded a new P.E.O. chapter, became a docent at the Tucson Museum of Art, joined a book club, and a weekly Bible study at their church. 

     She moved to Aiken, South Carolina in 2015 and continued to get involved in her new community. She was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, an active bridge player, a member of PEO Chapter AI, as well as actively participated in a local book club.

     Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Irma and Harold Gilliland, her sister Marge McLauthlin, and her husband Donald Sharp.  She is survived by her children, Gil (Anne) Sharp in Hood River, Oregon, Ann Dodson in Aiken, South Carolina, and Peg Sharp in Aiken, South Carolina; grandchildren, Delaney (Jennie) Sharp, Garrett (Pamela) Sharp, Kelsey (Ashley) Dodson, and Madison Dodson; great-grandchildren Arlo & Zephyr Sharp, Amaya & Maite Sharp, Aria Dodson, and Raelynn Holm.

     No services will be held at this time.  Her ashes will be interred with her late husband in Tucson, Arizona.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elizabeth’s local PEO Chapter AI (Chapter Treasurer, 119 Cedarwood Park, Aiken, SC 29803), St. John’s United Methodist Church (104 Newberry St NW, Aiken, SC 29801), Trinity Hospice of Aiken (690 Medical Park Dr., Suite 200, Aiken, SC 29801) or a charity of your choice.

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC