Jacqueline Sharp Connor, 92, was born at home to Eugene Barren Sharp and Mary Kathleen Andrews Sharp on August 3, 1931, in Ellisboro Township, Rockingham County, NC. She passed away peacefully at The Hidenwood in Newport News, VA, on February 16, 2024, after several years of declining health from dementia.

The youngest of four daughters, Jackie was raised on a farm and grew up to be self-reliant. She learned how to sew and cook from her mother and became skilled in both. Jackie graduated from Madison High School in 1949 and Guilford College in 1953. After graduation, she taught English and French in Walnut Cove, NC, and Summerfield, NC.

In 1955, she married her college love, Andy Connor, and the following year; they moved to Newport News, VA (then known as Warwick, VA), where they both began working at Langley Research Center – NASA (then known as NACA). When her children were born, she became a stay-at-home mom until they were older. From her lifelong love of books and reading, Jackie pursued a Library Science degree. She became a school librarian for Newport News Public Schools in 1972, first working at Huntington Intermediate School and then at Denbigh High School until her retirement in 1992. After that, she loved spending time with her grandkids, doing crossword puzzles, gardening, cooking, and traveling with her husband.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sister Dorothy Kathleen Sharp and twin sisters Virginia Marie Sharp and Eugenia Iris Sharp.

She is survived by her husband, Andrew Blackmore Connor; son, Christopher Andrew Connor; daughter Kathleen Connor (Kevin); granddaughters, Jessica Kathleen (Salah) Messai and Leah Christine Jerrils; and great-granddaughter, Zahra Kathleen Messai.

The family is so very grateful to her kind and compassionate caregivers at The Hidenwood Inspiritás – Memory Care area who took gentle and loving care of her and her Virginia Health Hospice team. They also thank her Hilton Presbyterian Church family, of whom she was a member for 67 years, for their continued support and love.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 5-7 pm at Peninsula Funeral Home in Newport News, VA. The following day, Thursday, February 22, at 3 pm, a small graveside service will be at Peninsula Memorial Park. A celebration of Jackie’s life will be on Saturday, February 24, at 11 am at Hilton Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hilton Presbyterian Church, 34 Main Street, Newport News, VA 23601, or the charity of your choice.