Vernola G. (Sharpe) Williams, 79, passed away on May 9, 2013. Vernola was born on June 13, 1933 in Cambridge, MD where she was raised by her mother, Mildred Sharp. Vernola attended Cambridge City schools and, in 1951, was named salutatorian of her class at F. D. St. Clair High School. Vernola came to Newburgh, NY to work for her uncle, the late Gilbert Sharpe, in 1956, there she met and married John Arthur "Artie" Williams. A longtime employee of IBM, Vern (as her IBM family called her) worked with IBM in Fishkill, NY, Mechanicsburg, PA and Bethesda, MD until her retirement. Vernola was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Newburgh where she served on the usher board. With her family, Vernola moved to Harrisburg, PA and later to Hyattsville, MD. However, no matter where she lived, Vernola stayed close to her extended family and friends. Throughout the years we could always count on a cookout or two during the summer. Whether a birthday celebration, graduation, or anniversary, we looked forward to a delicious meal including Vern's famous macaroni and cheese. Holidays were a real treat with the best sweet potato pie in town. Vernola was admired by family and friends for her keen intellect; she was an expert with word puzzles, her favorite of past times. Always quick to pass along a humorous story, Vern's laugh and smile were both infectious and lit up a room. Vernola leaves to cherish her memory six children: Quintelle (Joann) Sharpe of Harrisburg, PA, Shelley Sharpe (Ronald) Arrington of Hyattsville, MD, Satina V. Williams, PhD, CPA, of Poughkeepsie, NY, Arlisa Williams Fluellen of Hampton, VA, John A. (Annett) Williams, Jr., of Fremont, CA, and Reginald G. (Maya) Williams, PhD, of Bowie, MD; ten grandchildren: Jerome A. (Ivelina) Sharpe, Fallon Sharpe (Conley) Ferguson, Justin A. (Antonia) Fluellen, Kenneth L. Fluellen, Courtney Fluellen (Terrode) Lloyd, Jarred Sharpe, Madeleine, Tess, Catherine, and Ian Williams; great-granddaughter: Kalea Ferguson; brother: Reginald Sharpe of New York, NY, sister: Betty Overton of Philadelphia, PA and a host of cousins and friends. Vernola leaves this life to join her husband of 49 years, Rev. John A. Williams, Sr.; daughter, Leona C. Williams; mother, Mildred Sharp; brother, Guy P. Sharp and best friend for more than fifty years, Joyce L. Quinn, David "Pete" Quinn, and "other" daughter, Grace Quinn. Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, May 18th with services beginning at 11 a.m. at Ft. Lincoln Funeral Home, 3401 Bladensburg Rd., Brentwood, MD 20722. In Newburgh, NY, Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 21st at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, NY, 12550 with Graveside Service to follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Middlehope, NY. In lieu of flowers, etc., contributions can be made to Alzheimer's Association, 1850 York Road, Suite D, Timonium, MD 21093; www.alz.org/maryland/in_my_community_donate.asp , 410.561.9099.