Written by Michelle Thompson
In an era when the church is divided along racial lines, the ordination of women, and a host of contemporary issues, some members of the Fayette Seventh-day Adventist church united to care for their sister in Christ, Becky Sharpe, who was battling breast cancer. The care team consisted of individuals from Liberia, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Belize, and the United States. However, despite their cultural and demographic differences, they found common ground in their love for Becky as well as their desire for her to beat breast cancer. To some members of the care team, like Deborah Derrell, Jewell Woods, Zelma Rimmer, and Elena Raynor, Becky was more than a sister in Christ, so they do not believe they joined the care team. Rather, they felt they were “supporting a dear friend, who would have done the same for them.”
Others, like Novlet Gordon, Sandra, and Larry Johnson, joined the care team because “Becky was a very loving and giving person, and they wanted to reciprocate that love by serving her in her time of need.”
Becky Sharpe became a member of the Fayette Seventh-day Adventist Church in 2014. Her warm smile and caring nature did not go unnoticed, so she became fast friends with many of the members. She served the church in various capacities, from Sabbath School Superintendent to Creation Health Coordinator. Becky also embraced the health message and had a deep faith in God’s healing power, so when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she chose natural treatments rather than the traditional route of radiation and chemotherapy. As such, she visited Uchee Pines in November 2024, where she spent 18 days. When she returned home, she felt better for a while, but the cancer continued to spread. In December 2024, she went to MEET Ministry, another sanitarium, for 28 days and was released with a stringent protocol for her treatment plan. In January 2025, Becky reached out to her dear friend Deborah Derrell and told her that she needed help with ice treatments, juicing, meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, and caring for her pets.
Operation: Help Becky beat breast cancer was on in earnest as Deborah Derrell rallied the troops and explained the assignment. The mission was accepted by a team of women and a gentleman tasked with visiting her house daily and providing care. Each day, two members of the care team visited Becky, one in the morning, another in the evening, and spent between 2 to 4 hours ministering to her physically and spiritually. On Sabbaths, the visits from Deborah Derrell lasted up to 5 hours, as she skipped church and worshipped at Becky’s house. Those who could not be there for Becky physically supported the cause financially, because all of the food and vegetables for juicing had to be organic. The operation lasted for four months because, sadly, Becky Sharpe’s battle with breast cancer ended on April 5, 2025. However, the love and sacrifice shown by the members of the care team will live on in the minds of everyone, particularly her brother, Pastor Derek Sharpe, who was extremely impressed by the care received by his sister. The acknowledgement he gave during the sermon at his sister’s funeral on April 15th inspired this article.
Even though the unity, love, and sacrifice of the care team are remarkable, Becky’s positive attitude during her battle with cancer is even more inspiring. In an interview with a few members of the care team, they shared the following:
Becky never complained about her situation but was appreciative of the assistance she received. She dutifully followed the instructions given to her from the health institution.
Seeing Becky praising GOD in her time of severest trial was a testimony to the Power and Glory of our loving heavenly Father.
According to Jewell Woods, “three weeks before Becky died, she told her that she had stopped praying for healing but instead prayed for God to be merciful.”
“Becky was pleasant as always and thankful.” (Zelma Rimmer)
“She had the best smile at all times.” (Novlet Gordon).
Her dear friend Deborah Derell says that Becky’s final words to her before her transition were: “Thank you.”
Becky knew the sacrifice it took to fulfill the mission of caring for her. Though she lost the battle with cancer, love won the fight for unity.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
(1 Cor. 13:13, NIV)
Becky and Sara-Michelle who helped care for Sis Becky on Thursday evenings.