The Lawrence R. and Debbie H. Sharp Endowed Scholarship was established in memory of Lawrence R. and Debbie H. Sharp in 1985 by the Sharp family.

Lawrence R. Sharp was an educator and historian who spent a lifetime crusading to enhance the outreach of education opportunities in Panola County. A graduate of the University of Texas, he was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, National Education Honor Society.

His career in education extended over 40 years, first as a teacher in the one and two-teacher rural schools of Panola County. He served as county superintendent from 1924 to 1928 and crusaded for the consolidation of the 42 rural schools in Panola County. After serving as county superintendent, he led the consolidation effort for several rural schools into the Beckville public schools.

Mr. Sharp served on the original staff at Panola County Junior College where he taught history and government.

Debbie H. Sharp also dedicated many years to education, serving as an elementary school teacher in Beckville and surrounding communities, where she was deeply committed to inspiring and shaping the lives of her students. She graduated from North Texas Teachers College in 1916 with a permanent teaching certificate. Later she earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Her teaching career spanned 20 years, beginning before her marriage and resuming after she had six children.

Their legacy of service and involvement continued through their daughter, Elizabeth Sharp Robinson, who was elected vice president of the first class at Panola Junior College in 1949.

According to a family spokesperson, “Together, Lawrence and Debbie Sharp shared an uncommon understanding of the importance of universal education. It is to their memory that their children have established this scholarship.”

The Lawrence R. and Debbie H. Sharp Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to Panola College students who will further their education in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.