Sharon (Large) Gembala Tope ‘64

In Loving Memory of Sharon Tope July 17, 1946 – April 6, 2026 Sharon Tope, age 79, passed away on Monday April 6, 2026, in Barnesville Georgia. She was born on July 17, 1946, in Barnesville, Ohio, to the late Thomas Large, Sr. and Eileen Large.

She graduated in 1964 from St. Francis de Sales High School in Columbus, Ohio. Sharon then earned her Cosmetology Degree from Nationwide Beauty Academy in 1965 and achieved her Cosmetology license and then on to her Cosmetology Instructor's license. She was a woman of ambition and talent, building a successful career across two distinct fields. After gaining her cosmetology degree and licenses, she ventured into the world of retail in the 1970s and 80's, making her mark in Atlanta, Georgia with World Bazar and later in Macon, Georgia with PanORama. In 1985, she returned to Columbus, Ohio and opened her own salon, Mr. Thomas Hair Design—named after her father. She was a member of the Moose lodge in Columbus, Ohio and an Eastern Star. After retiring she moved back to Georgia to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

 She is survived by her children, Cheri (Duane) Lance, and Brandon (Michelle) Wiggins, 6 grandsons; Jackson Sparks, Greyson Sparks, Chance Wiggins, Gauge (Antonella) Wiggins, Devin Wiggins, Conor (Kate) Bunn, 3 bonus grandsons; Dylan Lance, Dakota (Zin) Lance and Davis (Madison) Lance, her granddaughter Erica Cline , and one great grandchild, Jack Bunn. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Tope, her father Thomas Large, Sr, her mother, Eileen Large and her brother Thomas (Tommy) Large Jr.