Dethirse (Dede) M. Sharples, 84, of Palatka, passed away on April 15, 2022, after an extended illness. She was born in Nashville, TN and was raised in Gainesville, FL, graduating from Gainesville High School, class of ’55. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Florida. She moved to Palatka in 1969 and taught at Silver Lake Elementary School. She had various career paths that include Government Civil Service positions as director of the first Welfare and Food Stamp office in Palatka, as a mail carrier in Welaka, FL, as a census taker in 1980 and 1990, employee at Green Thumb, and finally as a family services coordinator and child care licensing specialist for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Retiring with 25 years of service. Additionally, she held a variety of short-term jobs to include: A real-estate agent for Doug Cutts Reality, Belk’s, and manager at Mellon Manor Apartments. Dede was not associated with any specific church but she loved the Lord with all her heart and shared that love with others that knew her. For many years she was active in the Palatka Garden Club. She grew the largest and most beautiful orchid trees, loved walking in Ravine Gardens, and spent countless hours in her yard tending to her plants and flowers. She was a Gator fan, went to many Gator Growls, and donated annually to the Gator Alumni Association.
She is preceded in death by Stella Green, mother, Connie Watson and Ruthie Perrine, sisters, Julian Green, brother.
She is survived by Beverly Coté, daughter, Thomas (Tom) Sharples, son, Kristin Coté, granddaughter, Sally Williams, sister, and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Palatka. No visitation is scheduled.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Dede’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com .
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.