Obituary of Sharetha Francene Marshall

Sharetha F. Marshall, was born February 19, 1968 in Landstuhl, Germany to Frank and Geraldine (Horton) Marshall. Sharetha graduated from Jeffersonville High School in 1986. She then continued her education at Purdue University where she earned her Bachelor of Science through the school of Consumer and Family Sciences and later earned her Masters of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Sharetha loved God and had a servant’s heart. She gave her life to Christ and was baptized at the age of 9 years old at Gilt Edge Missionary Baptist Church in Jeffersonville, IN. Sharetha loved to sing and serve in ministry beginning as a young girl. While at Gilt Edge, she participated in the “Sunbeams” children’s choir, attended and assisted with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and worked in the media room to record services to play on the church’s weekly radio broadcast. While she attended Purdue University, she sang with Black Voices of Inspiration. After graduation and moving to Indianapolis, IN, Sharetha became a faithful and active member of Light of the World Christian Church serving on multiple ministries. One of her fondest roles was sharing her spiritual gifts of hospitality and teaching as a servant leader in the launching of the Girls to Women group and as a teen bible study teacher and youth volunteer for many years. Sharetha was a devoted Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Friend, and Servant Leader who cherished her family, loved her church, and her Purdue Black Alumni peers. Sharetha was a lover of the color purple, good food, drinking Pepsi and tea, laughing, gospel music, her family, friends and her faith. To know Sharetha is to have laughed with or to have shared a kind word, whether a close friend or stranger. Being humbly social was a special gift upon which Sharetha was bestowed. Those around her were drawn to her infectious and cheerful personality. Selflessness and generosity were two traits that highlighted her personality. Sharetha touched the lives of so many people in such a short amount of time; she was able to accomplish much before her untimely passing. Sharetha will be remembered for her humility, kindness, and eternal smile. She was a hard worker, had an unassuming and disarming smile that could put anyone at ease; everyone was her friend. She was as compassionate as she was funny. Sharetha could find the silver lining to keep pushing forward in any situation. Sharetha was so special. She represented the good that we all need every day in our lives. Sharetha valued the time she spent with her family and friends, in particular birthday celebrations and was always everyone’s cheerleader. She was a fierce protector of her family. You knew not to mess with her mother, sister, or her nephews. Whether it was cheering on her beloved sister, Shana and nephews Benjamin and Brandon in every aspect and accomplishment of their lives, supporting one of the many entrepreneurs she helped launch their businesses through her counseling as an Entrepreneur and seasoned Business Coach for many years at the Business Opportunity Initiative (BOI), or helping a friend at an event, Sharetha was a resource for many. Sharetha had a passion for creating event experiences as the owner of Events and Occasions LLC. She was not shy about sharing her gifts or the many financial opportunities she would discover with all in her realm of influence. Sharetha held many professional roles that demonstrated her passion for people. She was a lifelong leaner and valued higher education which she shared with students through her work at Governors University, Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. Sharetha was a pillar in the community often found volunteering and hosting events. She had many philanthropic interests including breast health awareness, diabetes education, and women’ and girl’s empowerment which she volunteered and supported such organizations as Harvest Girls International, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, Pink-4-Ever Inc., and National Council of Negro Women. Her contributions are too numerous to list, but a few of the most notable include: Purdue Black Alumni Organization (PBAO)-where she served in several leadership roles including Vice President. National Black MBA Association Indianapolis chapter, where she served as Director of Professional Development where as a result of her hard work, the chapter won an award at the national level. Sharetha departed this life at the age of 54. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Marshall and Geraldine L. Horton Marshall, with whom Sharetha shared a special bond and affectionately called her “Girl.” Also preceding her in death were sisters: Janice Marshall and Elvira Marshall. Those left to cherish her memory are her beloved sister, Shana Marshall, nephews Brandon (Natalie)Marshall, Benjamin Marshall; big sisters: Janet Marshall (New Orleans, LA); Deborah Savage (Waggman, LA); Constance Tate (Baton Rouge, LA;) uncles, aunts, many cousins, nieces, nephews, Godchildren, close friends and coworkers.