She was born November 15, 1942 to Betty Lou and P.L. Bealy Smith in Atlanta, graduated from North Fulton County High School in 1960, and after attending Emory College for a year, completed her degree at the University of Georgia. There she met her loving husband of almost 58 years, Henry Samuel Pate III, after he thoughtfully fixed a flat tire on her car and left a note, leading to a first date. Sharon graduated in 1964 with a B.A. in Sociology and in July 1965 she married Henry (also a UGA grad) just before he entered the Air Force as an officer. The Air Force moved the newlyweds to Utah and then Florida, where their daughter Allison was born, then Atlanta, where their son Hank was born. When Henry left the Air Force, the family moved from Birmingham to New Orleans, to Memphis and in 1977, they found a home in Chattanooga (Ooltewah).
Sharon received her Tennessee teaching certificate and taught primarily 7th and 8th graders in the Chattanooga School System for 25 years. In her spare time, she was involved in numerous activities, including helping to start the first AYSO girls’ soccer program in Chattanooga, singing in the Sweet Adelines Women’s chorus, and coaching the junior varsity girls’ soccer team at Girls Preparatory School from 1982-85. She earned her MA in Special Education in 1988 and that year also won the B.E.E. Teacher award (Best in Excellence in Education). After retiring from teaching in 2005, she ran the children’s education program at the Chattanooga Zoo for five years. Sharon was loved by all who knew her and loved everyone she knew. She was a caring, funny, energetic, optimistic, thoughtful, and creative woman who touched many hearts and made a positive difference in the world.
A talented musician, she sang beautifully, played the ukulele and guitar, and could play songs on the piano by ear. She had a lifelong love of animals and could be found at various times feeding birds, squirrels, and skunks in her back yard, raising and owning multiple cockatiels, and most recently rescuing three cats, one of which would sit purring on her lap in the evenings.
Sharon was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Mark and Mathew Smith. She is much beloved and survived by her husband Henry; sisters, Sally Howard (John) and JoAllison Brown; brother, Andrew Smith (Kathy); sister-in-law, Peggy Brinkley; brother-in-law; Max, daughter, Allison (Roger Smart); son, Hank (Lisa); granddaughters, Riley Galliano (Joey) and Bealie; grandsons, Casey and Everett; and great grandchildren, Rowan and Thea.
Please visit www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com to share your thoughts and memories of Sharon.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation and memorial service for Sharon on Thursday, April 6 , 2023, at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Visitation will be held from 10 AM-12 PM, with a service from 12-12:30 PM, followed by burial at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
