JESSIE LAVERNE SOWELL SHARPE was born in High Point, North Carolina. Jessie was the second born child of Louis Richard Sowell (born in Marshville, NC) and Alease Marion Jones Sowell (born in Savannah, GA).

Jessie was raised in Philadelphia, PA where she attended St. Augustine’s Catholic School and John W. Hallahan Catholic Girl’s High School. Upon graduating, she attended St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing and graduated with a degree in Registered Nursing. Jessie then worked at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia and became Head Nurse in two years. Upon deciding to make an impact in this field of expertise, Jessie attended Millersville University and received her Bachelor of Science Degree. She later received her Masters in Education degree along with her School Nurse Certification from Temple University. This provided the foundation for the path of service that Jessie lived.

In 1962, Jessie married Ronald M. Sharpe and eventually had three children Martin, Tracey and Jennifer. Jessie and Ronald traveled around Pennsylvania with their children due to Ronald’s vocation as a PA State policeman. Jessie loved and enjoyed being a nurse. Upon moving to Harrisburg in 1968, she began working at Harrisburg Hospital. Later, Jessie took a position as a school nurse with the Harrisburg School District in order to be home with her children in the summer and during holidays. She remained with the Harrisburg School District for 29 years and served her last 10years as Coordinator of School Health Services. While acting as Coordinator, Jessie established two School Health clinics and the original Hamilton Health Center. During those same10years, Jessie also worked at the Hershey Medical Center on weekends and holidays. Upon retiring from the Harrisburg School District, she went to work for the Milton Hershey Schools. She loved the school, her co-workers and the children and remained there for 14years.

Jessie loved being first in many things:

• She was the first African American Registered Nurse to graduate from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing,
• She was the first African American Registered Nurse working for the Harrisburg School District to become Coordinator of School Health Services, and
• She was the first African American Registered Nurse to work at the Milton Hershey Schools.

Jessie was a member of the NAACP for 9years. She was an active member of the Urban League Guild and she served as a member of PSEA Division of School Nursing. She also was a member of the PA Association of School Nurses and Practitioners. She served on the board of Hamilton Health Center for 4years.

In 1994, Jessie was asked by the PA Association of School Nurses and Practitioners to go to South Africa to help with the upcoming changes that would be occurring in the schools. She immediately accepted the request as she knew Apartheid had been lifted and the government in South Africa was changing. So, in 1996, Jessie and approximately six other nurses from the United States went to South Africa to enhance the curriculum of the Medical Departments in the schools. Jessie often talked about when the plane landed in Johannesburg, she and her dear friend, Paula Dunbar, who had accompanied her, had tears in their eyes. They felt as if they had come home. Jessie made two subsequent trips back to South Africa in later years.

Jessie was a member of Bethel AME Church. She served on the Trustee Board, Stewardess Board, The Women’s Missionary Society and took care and charge of medical issues and supplies in her church. She also was active with many other organizations and groups associated with her church. Upon finding her new home at Harmony at Hershey she found another church family where she enjoyed many lively and spirited discussions at Bible study.

Jessie loved attending plays and going on excursions with her daughter Jennifer. Jessie also visited South Africa with Jennifer while Martin was living and working there. She enjoyed her yearly excursions to Mexico with Jennifer. She often went to Wales to visit with her son, Martin and his wife, Nicola. When she was not traveling, she could be found spending her days with her daughter, Tracey and her two grandsons, Zachary and Lance.

In addition to her parents, Louis and Alease Sowell, Jessie was preceded in transitioning to glory by her sister, Sandra Scott and her husband, Ronald Sharpe.

Jessie is remembered by her son, Martin; her daughters, Tracey and Jennifer; her four grandchildren, Samara, Declan, Zachary and Lance and her great-granddaughter, Ocean. She is also survived by her sister, Rachel Carnegie; her brother-in-law, Robert Scott; her sisters-in-law, Dorothy Thomas and Lis Parker and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Her life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in the Chapel of the Major H. Winfield Funeral Home, Steelton with viewing and visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and burial in Whitemarsh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in her honor to the Harrisburg Humane Society, 7790 Grayson Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111.