Sharon Stram Rouse

Sharon Stam Rouse, 77, of Wilmington NC went to be with the Lord on 15 September 2022. Sharon was born on 7 November 1944 in Pittsburgh PA to Peter and Mary Lou Stam. As missionaries with the Africa Inland Mission, Peter and Mary Lou moved to Congo, where Sharon attended Rethy Academy, making many lifelong friends. After graduating from high school at Rift Valley Academy in Kenya in 1962, she attended Columbia Bible College in South Carolina where she met her husband, Jim. They married in 1965 and eventually settled in Wilmington NC where Sharon worked intermittently as a phlebotomist and EKG/pacemaker technician. She and Jim had Christopher Blair in 1968 and Kimberly Michelle in 1974. Sharon focused her attention on raising her children and spent many hours teaching them and driving them to lessons and activities that would equip them for life. She loved to celebrate and host festive dinners for family and friends. Sharon’s hospitality extended to many people and she frequently opened her home to family or friends needing a place to stay. As grandchildren came along, her favorite pastime became enjoying life with them and gathering with her family. Upon being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February of 2022, she continually trusted the Lord and rested in His providence until He called her home on 15 September 2022. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but we rejoice with her as she rejoices with Christ in her eternal home.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Mary Lou Stam, and her brother, Bruce Allan Stam. She is survived by James Richard Rouse, her husband of 57 years; son Christopher Blair Rouse, his wife JulieAnne Galyean Rouse, and their children – EvelynKate Kennedy Rouse, EllaJane Galyean Rouse, and ElisabethJoy Kimberly Rouse; daughter Kimberly Rouse Bebb, her husband Gregory Gerard Bebb, and their children – Anika Cristen Bebb, Mackenzie Kate Bebb, Joshua Gregory Bebb, Haddon James Bebb, Hannah Grace Bebb, and Calvin Machen Bebb; Sharon’s brother Peter Blair Stam, his wife Pamela Gail Stam; Sharon’s sister Marilyn Stam Butler; and Valerie Florence Stam, wife of Bruce Allan Stam.

Her funeral service will be 11:00 AM Saturday, 17 September 2022, at Heritage Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 1402 North College Road, Wilmington NC with Ethan Bolyard officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Wilmington NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Africa Inland Mission (www.us.aimint.org), Attn: Receipting, P O Box 3611, Peachtree City GA 30269-7611.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.coblegreenlawn.com