Sharon Bunn High

Sharon Bunn High, 93, died Monday, September 18, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. She was born in Bailey, NC on November 10, 1929, the oldest child of six born to the late George Hubert Bunn and the late Lola Finch Bunn.

Sharon was born in the small farm town of Bailey in eastern North Carolina. Some of her fondest and strongest memories were from that early time with her brothers and sisters. There were occasionally times of hardship but she received a good education and always had the support of her family. She married Barney H. High, Jr. in 1950 and moved to Wilson, NC. Eventually Barney’s job moved the family to Raleigh, and then a few years later to Charlotte in 1965. In Charlotte, she began study to become a court reporter. This effort would normally take a person two or more years to become proficient at the specialized skills, but her determination to succeed resulted in her finding work in the courtroom in 18 months. She worked both District and Superior courts in Charlotte, and then began working in courtrooms around the state, traveling from Murphy to Manteo as they say. She always had a strong work ethic and raised her three children to have that same desire to do the best job they could no matter what they pursued. Her courtroom work influenced her to apply and be accepted to the first Charlotte Citizen's Review Board. She was rightfully proud of this appointment and took very seriously her work with the Board.

Sharon was a multi-talented and very creative person. As a young teenager she learned how to play the piano. She followed that with studying art as a young adult with the highlight of creating beautiful pastel portraits of her two sisters. She loved gardening as well, volunteering her own flowers and her time in creating flower arrangements for the front altar at many of the churches she attended. In 1965, she was one of the ladies responsible for starting the Rama Woods Garden Club. She was an excellent cook….she started making biscuits at five years old to help when her mother was busy with a new baby. Her house was full of cookbooks, and cooking lessons resulted in what could be considered chef-level menus at family Christmases for years. She had a go at ballroom dancing lessons, too, eventually entering and winning competitions. She made some of her own ballroom dancing competition dresses, using the tailoring skills she learned during the dressmaking classes taken several years before. She was always known for her elegant taste in clothing and her good taste in interior design. She took great pride in looking her best.

One can see that she was always willing to try something new, and her love for lifelong learning was intense. After retirement from her court reporter career, she became a docent at the Mint Museum, enjoying the opportunity to share history and art with museum goers. Sharon also took creative writing courses. One of her course requirements led her to write a paper on James K. Polk which she was invited to present at a dinner honoring his time as a U.S. president. She went to every Shepherds Center program she could because she knew that she would always learn something interesting. One would often see her with a book or newspaper in her hand, even at night after a long day. Of course, she might be nodding off over that book after that long day, but the book and new things to learn were always there for her when she woke up.

Her love of travel took her to Great Britain and Europe. Her husband, Barney, didn’t enjoy plane travel, but she and he enjoyed spending time at their condominium in Cherry Grove, SC. One of the highlights of their joint retirement was a long trip via car to Nova Scotia. They talked about the trip and the beauty of the area often.

Not to be overlooked, and so integral to her life, was her strong faith in God. She grew up in the Methodist church, and enjoyed long-term membership at Myers Park Methodist Church in Charlotte. She was a member of the Snyder/Fisher Fellowship Sunday School class.

Surviving Sharon are her three much loved children, Suzanne High McBrayer (spouse, Alan) of Jamestown, NC, Barney H. High, III of Charlotte, NC, and Elizabeth High of Nashville, TN. Sharon was predeceased in 2009 by her husband, Barney H. High, Jr. Her younger brothers and sisters—Royce, Anne, Billy, Sue and Tony---have also predeceased her, but she is remembered fondly by her nieces and nephews, as well as their children.

A graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park at 12 noon on Monday, September 25, 2023. After the service is concluded, there will be an opportunity for remembrance of her as well as further fellowship at McEwen Funeral Service reception hall.

Flowers are welcome, or donations may be made in her memory to the charitable organization of choice.