
WINNSBORO – The crowd was small, but the intentions were mighty. Year four of the Jenni Sharpe Memorial 5K, held Sat., March 14, had a smaller turnout than previous years, largely from the beginnings of coronavirus shutdowns.
The run is held annually as a memorial for former Winnsboro resident Jenni Caldwell Sharpe. Sharpe, who passed away in January 2016 after a brief battle with cervical cancer, was known in the community for her kind and giving heart. It’s that same community that comes together each year to give back through the 5K in honor of Sharpe’s memory.
“One of the most important things I have learned from this experience is to take time to enjoy life,” Sharpe wrote in a blog she started after her cancer diagnosis. “Take time to be with the people most important to you and do the things that mean the most to you. Have a servants’ heart and frequently do things to help others.”
Sharpe’s family continues her legacy of giving through the memorial scholarship, which has given over $18,000 in scholarships to graduating students from Fairfield Central and Richard Winn in its first three years of existence.

Fairfield County Councilman Doug Pauley and Jeff Talbert. Fairfield Central teacher Janet Wise Probate Judge Pam Renwick, left, with Sharon Peak and Florie Coates.
From left: Ryan Bessinger, 2nd place male, Hudson Wade, overall winner and Justin Blackwelder, 1st place male. Tyler Thigpen, 3rd place male, not pictured. From left: Riley Simpson, 2nd place female, Ann Bass, 1st place female, with her daughter and Meg Ladd, right, 3rd place female.
Jerrica Beam, owner of To Be Stitched in downtown Winnsboro, with daughter Lilly Grace. Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery and wife Caroline John Wood, owner of Pope Funeral Home, and Fairfield Central head football coach Demetrius Davis.
Ryan Sharpe and Heath Caldwell Russ Brown, Joseph Brown and Herb Rentz
Meredyth Harden and Emerson Johnny and Cheryl Caldwell with John Ryan Sharpe
Speak Your Mind