Alma Francis Simpson Sharpe, of Baltimore, formerly of Columbia, died July 2, 2008, of a heart attack, at her residence. She was 82.

Born Sept. 1, 1925, in Albany, N.Y., to Francis Clifford and Wilhelmina Bright Simpson, she graduated from Albany High School in 1943.

She worked for the New York Port Authority in a secretarial and administrative capacity beginning in 1950. She retired in 1973.

She married Irvin Van Sharpe in 1955. The marriage ended in divorce in 1960.

Mrs. Sharpe and her mother relocated together to Columbia in 1973 in order to be close to an aunt, Esther Snowden Warrick, a cousin, Jean Toomer, and other relatives.

While a resident of the town, she worked in administration for Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory for a decade, beginning in 1973. During her employment with the lab, Mrs. Sharpe took a public speaking course and became an accomplished speaker, family members said.

She also worked for Harleysville Insurance Co., in Jessup, in administration for five years, beginning in 1985, and as a part-time secretary in the Office of the President for Howard Community College for a year in 1991.

In 2000, Mrs. Sharpe moved to Boston with her daughter, Ivy, where the two resided for four years. They returned to Baltimore in 2005 to be near family.

Family members recall that while a resident of Columbia, Mrs. Sharpe volunteered with the Maryland Museum of African Art in the mid-1990s and was a member of Cathedral of All Saints, in Albany, and attended Christ Episcopal Church, in Columbia.

She loved to sing and is remembered for her ability to bring joy to others with her voice. She was also an accomplished sketch artist, loved to read and found satisfaction in all forms of communication, including public speaking, one-on-one conversations and debates. Mrs. Sharpe also liked to do crossword puzzles and write and read poetry, as well as share jokes and riddles with her family and friends.

Family members said Mrs. Sharpe encouraged others through her friendly countenance and compassion. Family members added that she was often referred to as "Miss Alma" by her co-workers.

She was predeceased by her former husband of five years, Irvin Van Sharpe, who died in 1989; and her mother, Wilhelmina Bright Simpson.

Mrs. Sharpe is survived by her daughter, Ivy Francis Sharpe Morris, of Baltimore; 13 cousins, Jean, and her husband, Clarence Toomer, Debra Toomer, Diana Toomer, Jeanette Toomer, Nia Toomer, Lisa Toomer, David Toomer and his wife, Jay Toomer, Davianne Toomer, Haley Toomer, Donna Toomer Watkins and her husband, Derrick Watkins, Rachel Watkins, Danielle Watkins, and Jessica Watkins; a surrogate daughter, Lisa and her husband, Keith Wilkins, six surrogate granddaughters, Brittany Wilkins, Chloe Wilkins, Samara Wilkins, Nina Wilkins, Leighton "Biggy" Wilkins and Alana Wilkins; a niece, Barbara O'Neal; six close friends, Cesar and Shelley Salas, Charles Schoppert, William Obrecht, Betty Tucker, Lillie McFashion O'Neal; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held July 9, 2008, at Cathedral of All Saints, in Albany.

Interment followed at Memorial Gardens in Colonie, N.Y.

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