Margaret Sharpes

Margaret Ruth Sharpes (née Harness), 81, of Madison, Missouri, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2025. Born on May 25, 1944, in Topeka, Kansas, she grew up in Warrensburg, Missouri, and lived a life shaped by an unmistakable spark of sass.

Margaret raised five children with her husband, Harold, and worked as a hairdresser, where her friendly presence made people feel welcome. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting and took pride in the things she created, often sharing them with family.

She was supportive, nurturing, sometimes blunt, loyal to her friends, and fiercely protective of her family. She believed in showing up, telling the truth as she saw it, and doing what needed to be done. Her presence shaped every generation that followed her.

As a grandmother and great-grandmother, she was warm, loving, and quietly delighted by the children in the family.

Margaret was the daughter of Lester and Velma (née Ikenberry) Harness, who preceded her in death. She was one of four children and is survived by her sister, Barbara Postlehwaite (Robert) of Spring Hill, Florida. She is also preceded in death by her brother, Robert Harness, and her sister, Julia (Judy) Moon.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Harold Sharpes of Madison; her children Theda Morris (Stan) of Cameron, Texas; Lisa Gentner of Madison; Robert Sharpes (Michelle) of Rolla; Richard Sharpes (Melba) of Madison; and Kristi Smith of O’Fallon, Illinois. She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Tiffany Keyes, Raymond (Ashley Foltz) Keyes, Brandi (Brandon) Bickhaus, Steven White, Jason White, Amanda (Brandon) Snelson, Jennifer Sharpes, Melby (Daniel) Edwards, Jeromiah Sharpes, Mackenzie Smith, and Amber Smith; and 13 great-grandchildren, whom she cared for deeply.

We will miss her deeply and carry her strength, humor, stubborn determination, and her flare for sass moving forward in our own lives

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no formal service. She didn’t want “a fuss,” and we honor that with the same straightforward honesty she lived by.