Sharon Elaine Foster Leaphart, 57, of Newport News, Virginia, peacefully transitioned to her eternal rest on December 29, 2023.

Born on September 18, 1966, in Winter Park, Florida, to her predeceased parents, Sidney Foster Jr. and Sarah Virginia Bell Robinson Foster. Sharon graduated from the Norfolk and Chesapeake Public School systems in 1984. She also matriculated at Norfolk State University. When her mother passed, one week following her graduation from High School, Sharon was propelled with the help of her older brother and sister, Sidney, and Shelia, into a motherly role for her three younger siblings, Spencer, Simona, and Steven. In 1986, Sharon’s family expanded to include her “Momma Joyce”, her sister Permila, and her brother Ralph David. Anyone who knew Sharon knew that in 1987, her baby brother “Wonathan” (Jonathan) was born.

Professionally, Sharon embarked on a journey that merged her compassion and skills, starting at the Social Security Administration, Office of Hearings and Appeals, and the Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement. Sharon was very instrumental in developing programs for the rights of fathers. For two decades, she dedicated herself to the health and social service industry. She was a faithful committed employee at Divinely Directed Services as a Residential Counselor and Case Manager beginning in 2015.

Sharon embodied the love of Jesus Christ as a way of life, demonstrating a profound commitment to servitude. As a maturing believer, Sharon’s innate gifts blossomed in various capacities within the ministry. She became not only a Choir Director, youth Sunday School teacher, and youth leader for Sunday services, but was also a beacon of compassion, love, and patience. Sharon’s developmental path in serving the Lord began under the guidance of her late father and mother. Sharon worked with her father, the late Rev. Dr. Sidney Foster Jr., who pastored New Hope Baptist Church diligently. Sharon had a remarkable ability to listen, nurture, and make peace in the lives of others, which mirrored the exemplary model of ministry set by her father.

Sharon’s nurturing spirit continued to flourish in her ministry at Truth Transformation Ministries of Portsmouth, VA, where she served under Senior Pastor Dr. Roderick S. Hawthorne and Co-Pastor Crystal W. Hawthorne. In 2002, she received her ministerial license and, on September 2, 2012, was ordained as an Elder, continuing to work fervently in her spiritual gifts. At Truth Transformation Ministries, no task was too great or too small if it was needed for the kingdom of God. Together with her husband, they served as teachers in TTM’s Children’s Ministry. Over the years she served as a counselor for couples in the My Boo Ministry, a leader in the Living Single Ministry, the ministry leader of the Altar Workers Ministry, an instructor in the New Partners Truth Guide class, and a Praise and Worship psalmist. Sharon not only expounded in the Word but had a beautiful voice to minister in song. The children and seniors loved Sharon because she could bring a smile to the faces of the young as well as the old. The Truth Transformation Ministries family will readily echo that Elder Sharon E. Foster Leaphart’s passion for God’s people resonated through every opportunity she embraced, leaving an enduring impact on all those she touched.

It was Sharon’s heart’s desire to be married to a Godly-endowed husband who was also her soulmate. God granted the desires of her heart when she was wedded in Holy Matrimony to Craig Maurice Leaphart on September 18, 2021. God additionally added to her blessings of becoming not only a wife, but a mother, grandmother, a sister-in-love, and daughter-in-love. Sharon was a blessing, and gave abundantly more, adding joy, love, and kindness to the Leaphart family. She did this with laughter, support, and with exceptional cooking skills. Sharon was a wonderful homemaker, creating a warm and Christ-filled environment for her family.

Adored and loved by many, Sharon left an indelible imprint in our hearts through the beautiful, courageous, and triumphant life she lived. Her legacy as a great listener, nurturer, and peacemaker will forever be etched in the memories of those she comforted.

Sharon’s immediate loving mourners include: her loving husband Craig Leaphart,

Daughters: Ciara Leaphart, Alexis Leaphart, Destiny Leaphart, Madeline Leaphart, Phaltiel Leaphart; Son: Jess Leaphart (C’Era); Mother: Rev. Dr. Joyce A. Foster “Momma Joyce”; Mother-in-Love: Rev. Dr. Arnell Powell; Father-in-Love: William Leaphart Jr. (Rosalind); Brothers: Sidney Foster III, Spencer Allen Foster (Glentoria), Ralph Mackey (Sandra), Steven K. Foster, Maj. Jonathan E. R. Foster (USA) (Norma); Sisters: Rev. Shelia L. Foster-Ashby, Dr. Permila Mackey Foster, Simona J. Foster-Diouf (Papa Diouf); Aunts: Fannie Walker, Ruth Dove, Enid Bruce Tagoe, Doris Dillahunt; Uncle: Deacon Winston Marcarius Foster; Sister-in-Love: Dana O. Leaphart; Brother-in-Love: Rev. Andre Leaphart; Grandchildren: Ava, Amir, and Avery; Nieces: SeRah Ashby-Ashwell (Jo), Sariah, Alanie, Naziah, Savannah, Helaynah, Victoria, Alexia, Cydney Smalls (Tyrell), Christina, Angel, and two great-nieces; Nephews: Robert L. Ashby III (NaaDzama), Tre Michael, Christian, Quincy Joshua, Sidney Joseph, Brian Keith, Elisha, Julian, Terrance, and one great-nephew; Godchildren: Stacey Mathews, Chanel V. Hines, Shantoya Mathis; Kevin Mathis Jr., and numerous life-time friends, a host of cousins, church ministerial associates, and numerous extended family members.

A public viewing will be held at Corprew Funeral Home, 1822 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23704, on Friday, January 12th, from 2 pm-7 pm.

The Home Going Celebration will take place on Saturday, January 13th, at 1 pm at Truth Transformation Ministries, 3401 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703.

Live streaming of the Home Going Service will be available on Truth Transformation Ministries’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/truthtransformationministries