Anna Lomae (Sharpe) George

Our mom was born on March 9, 1927 to Ralph J. and Jessie Ramah (Heriford) Sharpe. She had a big sister Loveta, who called Mom "Macy". Mom was seven years old when she lost her mother, but three years later she gained a wonderful step-mother when her Dad married Elva Hetrick. With this marriage, she became a big sister as brothers Bill, Rick and Dwight, and sister Carol were born. Mom was baptized at an early age. She grew up in the dirty 30's and we have heard her tell many stories about the rolling dirt storms. Mom attended school at Glendale through the 8th grade and told us many stories about that as well. As she grew into adulthood, she went to work for Chesley Cogburn, helping cook for broomcorn men. She attended high school for one year in Walsh, and then she quit and went to work for Clarence Burson at the Walsh Drug Store. Mom learned to dance as a young girl and always enjoyed dancing whenever she had the chance. Somewhere during this time she fell in love with Shorty Miller, but World War II came along and when the war was over it seemed they had drifted apart. She married our dad, Cecil George, on November 12, 1946 in Gruver, Texas. They had another date planned, but a big snow storm came and they had to change their plans, as the snow pretty well shut down the Walsh area.

They made their new home in Granddad George's homestead dugout. In August 1949 their daughter Rama Jill was born. Just two years later in August, they bought their own place and moved 13 miles southwest of Pritchett. In December 1952, John Cecil was born. These were hard lean times, but they managed to hang on through dirt storms and blizzards. They lost half of their cow herd in the blizzard of 1957. They milked cows, raised chickens, pigs, and bottle calves. In the mid 50's Dad got arthritis in his knees and spent 30 days or more in the VA hospital in Denver, leaving Mom to keep things going with two small children. With help from Granddad George, she made it through. Did I mention she was one strong woman in spirit and strength?

Mom loved to sew, and she made almost everything that we wore on a treadle sewing machine. In the spring of 1956, they were on their way to La Junta with some cows in the back of the pickup when they blew out a tire and had a wreck. This resulted in a broken ankle for Mom. She spent a while in the hospital and Grandma George came to help out on the farm. She was soon back at home on crutches doing most of the things she did before, just a little slower. She still managed to sew on that treadle machine, but Dad bought her a new electric one anyway.

As things began to get better in the 60's, Dad got a mail route delivering mail out of Utleyville three weeks before their daughter Deann Virginia was born in March 1964. Uncle Doyle almost had to take her to the hospital as Dad was gone to La Junta to the cow sale.

Loveta, Doyle and Lollie were killed in a tragic car accident in April 1965. This was one of the darkest times in Mom's life. Then in September 1966, Jeffery Ruben was born. Jeff was almost born in the car. Dad was gone on the mail route, so a neighbor, Opal (Bryan) Moffett, brought Deann to school for Rama to take care of and then took Mom to the hospital. Mom now had a senior in high school and a new baby at home. Two years later her first grandchild, Teresa, was born.

In 1975 they sold the farm at Pritchett and built a new home just north of Springfield. Mom stayed busy raising a big garden and canning her fruits and vegetables. She still enjoyed her sewing, and also carried the mail as a substitute carrier.

During this next phase of her life, her focus changed and she enjoyed her time being Grandma. She always had that homemade bread and apple butter ready every time her grandkids came to visit. In the mid 80's they joined the Good Sam Club after purchasing their first RV. Mom and Dad traveled with their RV during the 80's and 90's and made a lot of dear friends. It was during this time that she learned to crochet. She was known for her beautiful doilies, baby dolls and angels. She still continued to sew and has made countless western shirts.

Dad became ill in 1999 and thus another phase of life began. They were not able to travel as much as they had in the past. Dad passed away on October 30, 2003 after losing his battle with cancer. Mom sold the home they built and bought a house in Springfield in 2004. For those of you that knew her, you know that it took Mom awhile to get this new home just the way she wanted it. It was during this time that Shorty came back into her life. They spent many hours together playing the marble game and dominoes, as well as some traveling.

In May 2009, Mom fractured her lower back as a result of her osteoporosis and her health began to fail. In January 2010, Mom made the hard decision to move to the nursing home. This was a very difficult adjustment for her to make. She was a very independent person and had always relied on herself and she didn't like having to follow the rules at the nursing home or waiting for someone to assist her. Mom received good care as a resident, and the staff soon learned how to take her. She continued to crochet and made baby dolls for some of the nurses.

Mom was able to attend the Sharpe family reunion on July 24, 2011. This time allowed her to enjoy most of her extended family. Mom passed away at Southeast Colorado Hospital in the same room that Dad passed away in, with her family by her side on August 12, 2011 at the age of 84.

Lomae was preceded in death by her husband Cecil Glenn George, parents Ralph J. and Jessie Ramah Sharpe, sister Loveta Woolley, brother-in-law Doyle Woolley, niece Laurell Woolley, sisters-in-law, Delma Sharpe and Shirley Sharpe, and all of Cecil's brothers, sisters, and parents. Lomae leaves to mourn her passing children Rama (Bill) Self, John (Debbie) George, Deann (Harrison) Billings, and Jeff George. Eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, stepmother Elva Burhenn, sister Carol (Merle) Shalberg, brothers, Bill (Jerry) Sharpe, Rick Sharpe, and Dwight Sharpe, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.