Obituary of Sharon Lois Capps

Sharon Lois Baker Capps died on Monday, April 6, 2015. Mrs. Capps was born August 3, 1948, in St. Lois, Mo. She was the daughter of the late William Baker and Ruth Roth Baker. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 39 years, William Oliver (Bill) Capps, Jr. of Roanoke; Surviving are their two daughters, Joanna Baker Capps and her wife Julie Frances Waters, of Washington, D.C., and Mary Leigh Capps and her partner, James Francis Wise, Jr. of Roanoke; one sister, Joan Baker Brooks and husband, Richard, of Charlottesville, Va.; one sister-in-law, Brenda S. Capps, of Brunswick, Georgia; four nephews, three nieces, 8 great nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, friends and former students.Mrs. Capps was a graduate of Berkeley Senior High School in a suburb of St. Louis Missouri; Baylor University in Waco, Texas; and Hollins University in Roanoke, Va. She did post graduate work at Virginia Tech and The University of Virginia. She was a long-time member of St. James' Episcopal Church where she also served as Organist and choir director. Mrs. Capps retired from Roanoke City Schools after 33 years of teaching. She was also one of the first Montessori teachers at Round Hill Montessori School, a public Montessori school in Roanoke. She was one of the founding directors of St. Anne's Episcopal Day School in Salem, Va. She maintained her professional memberships in Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society of outstanding female educators, the American Montessori Society, the National Education Association, The American Guild of Organists, and the Thursday Morning Music Club. Her church was a very vital part of her life. She was a past president of Daughters of the King, Shepherdesses of St. James Chapter and Vice President and co-Secretary of the Diocesan Daughters of the King; a member of the prayer group and adult education seminars, and former vestry member, having also served as the Junior Warden. Since retirement she has served as accompanist and director for the Friendship Singers at Friendship Retirement Community, and a member of the Roanoke Valley Choral Society. She has also performed and directed with Opera Roanoke, Bedford Little Town Players, and Showtimers Community Theatre. She was an outstanding educator, and delighted to see children learn. She taught them with love, compassion, and discipline. Her life will be celebrated in a service 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2015 at St. James' Episcopal Church 4515 Delray Street by the Rev. Susan Bentley. The family will receive friends following the service.Rather than flowers, well wishers are requested to make contributions to St. James' Episcopal Church or to the American Cancer Society.Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory. 366-0707