This is how we celebrate the life of Teresa Ann Grice Sharpe. We could write a book about her.

The Rite of Birth

 

Her dynamic spirit entered this world on February 11, 1964 in Queens, New York. She is the third child born to the late Willie James and Dora Grice. As a child she was energetic, friendly (never meeting a stranger) and most times, too intelligent for our comfort. There was never a problem that she didn’t have an answer to, and never an answer that we shouldn’t accept as final. It was evident even then that the world would Say Her Name, as she “TAG’d” everything in the house. Her initials were befitting for her.

Teresa graduated from Nettie Lee Roth High School and later attended the nursing program at Miami Jacobs Career College. Once she admitted that she was a germaphobe, (you had to wash your hands to glance in the kitchen and she wouldn’t dare eat from a food truck), her journey led her to various positions including an event planning side hustle and antique store front at the Dayton Mall. True to the innate characteristics of her youth—intelligent and energetic, many of her projects were done while employed by the City of Dayton as a public servant. Working in several departments there, she established a stellar career retiring after 25 years of service. After retirement, she attended Sinclair Community College obtaining a certification as a Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant.

A birthright is your claim on how and why you came into the world. Having moved through her early lessons, SHE EARNED THE RITE TO GROW.

 

The Rites of Exile and Initiation

 

Moving to California prepared her to walk in her ultimate calling. She returned to Dayton with a clear mission: to set captives free. Surviving everything that life had thrown at her, including breast cancer in 2005, she set the city ablaze with her very direct yet compassionate style of delivering messages of strength and hope. She walked into rooms full of those struggling with addiction, emphatically held space while they walked through their process, and boldly guided them to a path of recovery. She commanded podiums in churches, homes and small group meetings sharing a testimony of delivery from cancer that only a conqueror could put into words so powerful that one’s spirit quickened long before the body healed. She consistently advocated for the disenfranchised and with authority, spoke life to anyone who needed it. She often stopped to pray for and feed those who were unsheltered and surviving on the street. Teresa never required recognition for her heart work.  This is her power—that she could do all things through Him who gave her strength.

Exile is the season of leaving all others to find oneself. Initiation is the moment naïveté is anointed by knowing. Having done the hard work, SHE EARNED THE RITE TO BECOME.

 

The Rite of Intuition

 

Teresa loved the Lord and His presence in her life was evident. She prayed constantly, often waking before sunrise to commune with God. She sought Him in all things concerning her and never doubted what her Spirit whispered. Her discernment set her apart from even the most seasoned believer. She was adept at understanding the “spirit” of a place (or person), and that gift led her to Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church where she remained a member until her transition. Although she was homebound, she tuned in regularly, never neglecting to fill her cup so that she could give from overflow. She sometimes started her day with a phone call to someone proclaiming “I had a dream last night.” We knew to buckle up because whatever came next would bless us tremendously. This is her Praise—that she sought and loved the Lord with all of her heart, soul, and mind.

 

Intuition, as a rite of passage, is the mastering of the road map of life. It comes when one has learned the lessons, done the work, and settled peacefully in the *knowing* of Spirit. Having lived a life full of adventure, love, struggle, wins, losses, peace and war, TERESA EARNED THE RITE OF LEGACY.

 

The Rite of Legacy

 

Although we will cherish her memory always, we do not speak of her in past tense. She is forever with us in her “Teresa-isms” and the impact she made on our lives—her children and grandchildren bearing witness of her presence. Left to continue her impact and uphold her legacy are her mother, Dora L. Grice; husband of 32 years, Dwayne A. Sharpe Sr., and children, Kierre (Jasmine) Grice, Tierra (Chris) Brant, Cierra (Michael) Days-Dickerson, Emmanuel Grice, Dominique Sharpe and Dwayne Sharpe Jr. Grandchildren: Kierre Jr, Derion, Kam’Ron, Zion, King, Derius, Da’Mia, London, DeKari, Derreia, Brooklyn, and Jordan. Siblings: Willie Grice, Brenda McClure, Steven Grice, Denise (Darryl) Holt, Michael Grice. 

 

Close to her heart and forever a part of her story: Darryl Dancy, Carlton Allen, Larry (Boonie) Williams, Kim Tellis-Arnold, and Myra Trayvick along with a host of other family and friends—too many to name yet none forgotten.

 

Teresa rang her final bell and peacefully took her final exhale on June 24, 2026. She was in the comfort of her home surrounded by those who love her. She will be (and already is) greatly loved, honored and missed. 

 

Legacy is the culmination of all a woman has buried and created in her life. It is what survives the physical body, what is seen and felt and heard beyond the grave.

 

A fierce warrior and Queen in her own rite, Ms. TAGS, Auntie Ree, Ree Ree, Terri Yaske (grin)…. You live on, my love. Though your body kept score of the battles you’ve won, we are at peace knowing you lived a life deserving of the incorruptible one you have now received. Wear your heavenly crown with the same boldness and tenacity with which you lived. We love you, girl!

 

A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.                                                          

Ecclesiastes 7:1