James Wesley Sharperson, Jr.

James Wesley Sharperson, Jr (74) of Columbia, SC passed away on January 9, 2022, peacefully in his home after a long courageous battle with cancer.
James was born in Orangeburg, SC on November 14, 1947, to (the late) James Wesley Sharperson Sr. and (the late) Georgia Ethel (Baxter) Sharperson.  James was the second child of 4 children born to this union. James attended the public schools of Orangeburg and upon graduation from high school, James married Salena Bowman and had 3 children. He joined the United States Army where he completed 2 enlistments and served in the Vietnam War
After completing service to his country, he relocated to White Plains, NY where he found employment and his youngest child was born. While working at St. Agnes Hospital as an orderly, he met and married the love of his life, Mary E. (Brown) Sharperson, and became stepfather to their 4 children and they later adopted their grandson.
James expanded his education and skills at Westchester Community College by studying photography. His career included various industries, but he excelled as an auto mechanic. James worked for over 20 years with the New York State Thruway where he retired in 2016.
James lived a very active life in White Plains. He loved the brotherhood he found joining the Freemasons at the James H. Farrell Lodge as well as the lifelong friendships he made through being active in his church community. He was very proud of his memberships in Trinity United Methodist Church, Westchester Usher Assembly, The Westchester Marshalls and the United Usher Benevolent League of New York City where he was voted King a record 9 times.
He enjoyed his leisure time and often traveled, especially on cruises. He started his own travel agency, New Horizons Travel Group where he shared his love of cruises and travel with hundreds of friends. During his retirement, he was able to relive his childhood joys of fishing and hunting. He also found comfort with his church family at Adams A.M.E Northeast after relocating back to South Carolina.
James was predeceased by his parents and his brother (the late) George “Mutt” Baxter. 
He is survived by his devoted, loving wife of 43 years, Mary E. (Brown) Sharperson of Columbia, SC; his children Angela M. Sharperson, James L. ‘Ren’ Sharperson, Claudia Darlene Sharperson all of Columbia, SC, Shawaskia Bradshaw (Ryan) of Danbury,CT and adopted son Jacqwel Brown-Sharperson of Los Angeles, CA; his brothers John Wesley (Denise) Sharperson Sr. of White Plains, NY and Morris Anthony (Marie) Sharperson of Orangeburg, SC; his aunt Vera Tate of Philadelphia, PA and his uncle George Sharperson of Orangeburg, SC; his brother-in-law Rev. Henry Brown (Carol); his step children Norma Jean Brown of Brooklyn, NY, Sandra Abraham, John Abraham both of White Plains, NY, Jacqueline (Isaiah) Russell of Athens, Georgia; his grandchildren Shanika C. Glover, Akil R. Sharperson, Kaelan B. Sharperson, Dr. Camara M. Sharperson, Leesaria E. Sharperson, J’ren D. Sharperson, Rhys Bradshaw, Dachon (Christina) Parker-Brown, Tamika Smith, Tyese (Rodrigo) Kimble, Keith Brunson, Shakira Brunson; 10 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

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