Louise Cronenwett Sharp

Frances Louise Cronenwett Sharp died on Saturday May 9, 2026. Louise was an extraordinary human being, strong and quiet, always aware and always giving. Her strong German heritage was softened by the genteel impact of her Treadwell ancestors.

Louise was a graduate of SMU, Class of 1954, double majoring in English and Spanish. She was a member of the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Bryan, TX, for 45+ years. She taught in public schools for over 25 years.

Louise was funny. While teaching High School in Bryan TX, she donned a spirited blue wig on football Fridays at Bryan High School. She once shared that the first time she walked into the High School with the wig on was one of her most nerve-wracking moments; however, it became a treasured tradition during her tenure with the blue & silver Vikings. She had earrings for every holiday under the sun providing daily amusement for the students. She had an eyebrow that spoke more than words when raised. Louise and Sam had a 10 ft. toy green snake that would hang from a tree on New Year’s Day each year for their annual open house brunch. When the snake came down, the party was over.

Louise kept busy. She and Sam began a 4th of July parade in 1963 in the North Oakwood neighborhood of Bryan, TX, ending at her backyard for cookies and lemonade. This parade tradition still exists but she doesn’t bake the cookies anymore. For many years she was the gathering point for aluminum cans with all monetary donations going to the Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity; so many cans. She and Sam gave every third grader in the Bryan school system a dictionary one year. In retirement, Louise volunteered for the HOST (Helping One Student to Succeed) program for 16 years. Additionally, she collected children’s books from garage sales and thrift stores, cleaned them up, assessed the reading level, and then distributed them to elementary schools; over 9,000 books went through her hands. Her latest volunteerism was at the Hope Hospice Thrift store in New Braunfels where she worked Friday afternoons until weeks before her death. She had a green thumb and loved planting, growing, and caring for flora. She kept busy; however, always made time for family and friends.

Her lifelong gratification came in knowing she helped others.

Louise was predeceased by her husband, Samuel Nelson Sharp, and her parents, Frances Pickens Treadwell Cronenwett and John Emmanuel Cronenwett, as well as many beloved dogs and cats for whom she cared for deeply.

Louise is survived by daughters Sydney Cronenwett Sharp and Amy Nelson Sharp, son Stuart Peyton Sharp, brother William ‘Bill’ Treadwell Cronenwett, and Larry the cat.

In lieu of flowers, she asked that all who loved her practice a random act of kindness in her memory.