Sharon James Whitty

Obituary For Sharon James Whitty

Sharon LaJoyce James Whitty, beloved mother, grandmother, and dedicated nurse, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025. Born in St. Augustine, Florida, to Joyce Watkins and Willie "Guy" James (both proceeded her in death), Sharon was a lifelong resident who touched countless lives through her compassion and care.

Sharon's academic gifts were evident early. After attending Webster Elementary and R. J. Murray High School in St. Johns County, she received an invitation to Salisbury School in Pennsylvania. She began her higher education at Lincoln University before returning home to pursue her calling in nursing. She became an LPN and later graduated with honors from Bethune-Cookman University with her Bachelors of Nursing.

Sharon devoted her career to geriatric nursing, serving patients at Flagler Hospital, St. Augustine Health and Rehab (formerly Geriatric Center), Moultrie Creek, and Clyde Lessen Veteran Administration Nursing Home. She advanced from charge nurse to Assistant Director of Nursing and Director of Nursing, always maintaining the same compassionate touch that defined her care.
Beyond her professional achievements, she was a lifelong member of Zion Baptist Church. Sharon lived her faith through service as a Deaconess. She was an avid reader, world traveler who explored Greece, Egypt, Turkey, the Canary Islands, and the Caribbean, and a fashionista who brought her style to every occasion. Her greatest joy was listening to music and dancing with her family, especially her children.

She leaves to cherish her memory her three children, Erika Hill, Ebony Wright, and Tremayne Whitty, who were her life force; grandchildren Jontrel Lockett, Jovien Hamilton, Kentrevion Matthews, and Journie Hamilton; great-grandchildren Brookelyn, Zy'n, and Kasin Lockett; cousins raised like siblings; Clarence "Pop" James (Jeanette), Debra "Mona" Burkes, Deidra Kelsey, Brenda Braswell, Jeanette Irvin, Benny Irvin (Marketa), and Donna Bryson, Lazar Taylor; Special acknowledgment to cousins, Shanee Andrews, Dwayne Hamlet, Collin Griffin, Victor James, Clarice James, Daria Griffin, and Darren Griffin for their support and assistance.

Forever friends, Daria Hayward, Virdell Pope, and Nancy Soltis; God-sister Michelle Boone; godchildren Terell James and Rockell Hubert; bonus daughters Sabrina Strawter and Keegie Merrill Augustus; and a host of family (Watkins, James, Anderson and Whitty), friends, and co-workers whose lives she enriched.

Visitation 5-6 p.m., Friday, January 9, 2026, at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 94 Evergreen St, St. Augustine, FL

A Celebration of Life will be held 12:00 p.m., Saturday, January 10, at Zion MB Church

Interment will be held in Evergreen Cemetery