Sharon Chapman Graham

She will be joining a host of heavenly angels and her treasured mother, Evelyn, and father John Chapman, and stepfather, Hugh Witt who preceded her in death. Sharon was born on the 17th of July 1947, in Washington, DC.

While attending high school in Washington, DC, Sharon made a life-long friend, Luci Johnson. Luci was with Sharon at Methodist hospital on her July 17th birthday just three days before she died.

When Sharon opened her company, Sharon Graham Catering, in 1970, it instantly became a successful enterprise because of Sharon's outgoing, loving personality and sheer talent. "Always smiling," "always upbeat," "always encouraging," "always kind" are the phrases most often used to describe her.

A tireless worker and a perfectionist, Sharon became “the caterer” in Houston. She was beloved by the most affluent socialites and philanthropic causes as she was by every member of her catering team. Sharon could make friends with a lamppost, a billionaire or a homeless person.

Sharon was included in an H Texas magazine cover story - Leaders & Legends - which spotlighted 24 high profile people in Houston who were making a difference. The article included President George H. W. Bush, James Baker and Dr. Michael DeBakey to mention a few. A portion of the story reads as follows: "Sharon Graham is the owner of one of the oldest catering companies in Houston, Sharon Graham Catering. She has always had a passion for - in her words - 'making magic, making people happy and using her God-given gift of creativity to provide memorable events.'"

Sharon also created a company, Empathy, to assist families who are faced with having to be a host at the time of a death in the family. A wedding coordinator as well, she developed "Event Sites," a service to provide an updated list of event sites.

Sharon always believed in giving back to her "beloved" community and chaired events for Baylor 10; she also served on the boards of the Alley Theatre, Baylor Partnership and Houston Council on Drug abuse and Alcoholism. Additionally, she served as a member of the Friends of the Stehlin Foundation.

Sharon Graham is an original - a unique individual. It is not often that we witness someone who, against all odds, and when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, forges on and overcomes time and time again. First challenged with a life threatening bout with cancer, she battled for many years and won. In later years, heart issues side tracked her temporarily, but with her ever present optimistic attitude, she battled and persevered.

Sharon's name is synonymous with persistence and courage; she had an indomitable spirit and set an example for us all. One of her favorite sayings was "Onward and Upward." Today, dearest Sharon, you have moved onward and upward - you have reached the unreachable star.

As an only child, throughout her lifetime, Sharon loved her dear friends that became her adopted family. Resounding thanks and appreciation to her devoted caregivers at Brookdale: Dorca Flores, Tristina Martin, Fatima Gutierrez, Catchetia C. Hudson, Johnnie Moore, Folaranmi Aminu and Liliana Montes.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation from six o’clock until eight o’clock on Thursday, the 26th of July, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 27th of July in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons. Immediately following, all are invited to a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

At a later date, Sharon will be entombed next to her parents at National Memorial Park in Falls Church, Virginia.