William Sharps

William Sharps of North Brentwood and Lucille Giles of Lakeland were married March 15, 1945, at Embry A.M.E Church. Rev. W. E. Mosley presided. The formal wedding reception was held at Lakeland Hall. Members of the wedding party include, from left to right, Harry Braxton, Evelyn Giles, Omega Giles, Blanche Sharps, Vera Matthews, Wallace Sharps, Mary Braxton, the bride, the groom, Lola Giles, George Walls, Cecilia Brooks, Robert Fields, Shirley Randall, Margaret Sharps, Cozette Johnson, and James Weems. The flower girls are (left to right) Patricia Barber, Shirley Tyner, and Edna Tyner.

William and Lucille Sharps, at their home in Lakeland with Pamela, age two, welcomed baby daughter Violetta to the family in September 1948. Daughters Melonie and Joy joined the family in 1955 and 1959. Their home was the family residence for four generations until it was razed to make way for urban renewal. The family relocated to Lanham, Maryland, in February 1975.

In the 1940s and 1950s much of the organized entertainment in Lakeland was provided by social clubs. These clubs met monthly at the homes of the members. Dinners were part of the gathering and provided the host an opportunity to showcase both their cooking ability and their tableware. The Duchesses and the Counts social clubs sponsored an annual formal dance at Lakeland Hall and sometimes posed for professional photographs. The Counts appear here in formal tails and white gloves. The gentlemen are, left to right (left row) Gasson Bradford Sr., James Weems, Anderson Walls, George Walls, Charles Carroll, and Harry Braxton Sr.; (right row) Mack Allen, John Webster, William Sharps, Aubrey Corprew, Chesley Mack, and Ashby Tolson.

The churches of Lakeland have always been the true soul of the community. Gathering for dinner on the lawn of Embry AME Church has long been a summer tradition in Lakeland. In this 1962 photograph, William Sharps is shown wearing chefs whites preparing the day's meal. Seated in the foreground is Dora Robinson (third from the right) along with some friends, including Jacob Johnson, wearing the hat. (Courtesy of the Gross family)