Elizabeth Bowles Sharp's Obituary
Elizabeth Bowles Sharp, age 43, passed away peacefully at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas, on November 26, 2024, after a courageous four-and-a-half-year battle with metastatic breast cancer.
Elizabeth was born on May 6, 1981, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Cheryl and Michael Bowles. She grew up in Madison County, Arkansas, and graduated from St. Paul Public Schools, where her natural talent for sports shone through. A dedicated athlete, she was a member of the basketball and track teams, becoming the state champion in the 300-meter hurdles her senior year, even without an official track or full set of hurdles to practice on. This determination and drive to overcome obstacles would define her approach to every aspect of life.
After high school, Elizabeth pursued her love of education and athletics at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. She walked on to the Golden Suns Basketball team and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education. Elizabeth continued her studies at Arkansas Tech, earning a Master’s in Education in Physical Education, while remaining active in campus ministries. She cherished her time at Arkansas Tech and often referred to her friends from college as her Russellville family.
Elizabeth also spent several summers throughout college working at Kanakuk Kamps as a counselor, even going on to be the Assistant Athletic Director in 2004. Her energetic and competitive personality made her a fantastic camp counselor and gave her the opportunity to pour into the campers around her.
In 2005, Elizabeth embraced a new opportunity and traveled to Xinjiang, China where she lived for a year teaching conversational English at Xinjiang Normal University. She often reflected on her time in China as an exciting adventure that only helped deepen her love of education.
Her academic journey took her to Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where she pursued a Ph.D. in Physical Education Pedagogy. It was there that she met her future husband, Austin Sharp. Austin and Elizabeth wed in Tennessee in 2009 and after she graduated, they moved on to their next big adventure. Elizabeth accepted a teaching position at Colorado Mesa University as an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology in Grand Junction, Colorado.
In her time at CMU, Elizabeth flourished as a teacher. Her passion for education was evident to all those around her and she became a highly respected member of her field. In 2017 she became an Associate Professor of Kinesiology and went on to gain tenure as well as serve as the Assistant Department Head of Kinesiology. She was actively involved in SHAPE Colorado for many years, serving as the president in 2015 and received numerous awards including SHAPE Colorado University Physical Education Teacher of the Year in 2015 and the SHAPE Colorado Honor Award in 2022. In 2024 a court in the CMU recreation center was dedicated in her honor and named “Court 44”. The number 44 held significance throughout Elizabeth’s life starting from her time at Tech when it was her basketball number. She stepped down from her position as Professor of Kinesiology earlier this year. Elizabeth taught and advised thousands of students in her fourteen years at CMU. She advocated for them, encouraged them and pushed them to be their best selves. Her professional list of accomplishments, accolades and awards are a testament to the dedication she poured into each and every one of her students on a daily basis.
While in Grand Junction, Elizabeth and Austin embarked on their greatest adventure yet- parenthood. After several years of infertility struggles, Elizabeth gave birth to her son Ezekiel in 2015 and then Timothy in 2019. Her faith that God would give her children never wavered and she felt so blessed to be entrusted with being Ezekiel and Timothy’s mother. Elizabeth’s devotion to her children was immeasurable, and she cherished every moment spent with them, from the everyday routines to the special milestones. Her love for them was abundant, and she often shared the joy they brought her with others.
While her passion for motherhood and education were remarkable, it is her passion for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that she held above all else. She had a servant’s heart and took her greatest joy from serving the Lord. She was an active member of Heart of Junction Church in Grand Junction, where she served as the Children’s Ministries Director for ten years. She poured her heart into guiding and teaching children about Christ and was a vibrant leader in Vacation Bible School. Elizabeth also served on the Board of Directors for the nonprofit organization She Has a Name, which works to combat human trafficking. She traveled to Kenya on mission trips to serve the organization and spread the love of Jesus Christ.
In May of 2020, Elizabeth was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the many challenges she faced, she maintained a spirit of gratitude and faith. She openly shared her journey on social media, inspiring others with her courage, resilience, and unwavering trust in God. Her final months were marked by reflection on the legacy she wished to leave — one of faith, love, and service. Elizabeth hoped her life and story would lead others to know Christ more deeply.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Austin; their two sons, Ezekiel and Timothy; her parents, Michael and Leanne Bowles; her siblings, Eileen (Walter) Jennings, Michelle (Charlie) Russell, Katie (John) Eaves, and Bryce (Jackie) Roberts; and numerous extended family, friends, colleagues, students, and peers. She is preceded in death by her mother, Cheryl Pfau Bowles, and her grandparents, Tom and Marguerite Bowles, Don and JoAnn Lyall, and Helen and Aud Pfau.
Elizabeth’s life was a testament to the power of faith, love, and perseverance. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who knew her.
In memory of Elizabeth, donations can be sent to the "She Has a Name" nonprofit, https://www.shehasaname.info/donate or the Arvest Bank memorial fund for her sons: Elizabeth Bowles Sharp Memorial Fund: Acct #49070020.
“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23
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