Obituary of Octavia Elaine Binder

Octavia Elaine Bryant (decedent Hutcherson) Sharp Binder was born on January 4th, 1935, in the LAX section of Accoville, West Virginia. Her mother, Ola Mae Bryant Sharp Allen Robinson of Kistler, WV, was originally from Cairo, GA. Her biological father was Robert Latner Hutcherson of Charleston, WV, originally from Clarion County, VA. Her loving and kind parental father, whom she called Daddy, was Orville Sharp of Tennessee. Octavia worked tirelessly and made many sacrifices for her ten children: Phillip (Linda) Sharp, Carolyn Ann Sharp (Starling) Johnson, both deceased, Debra Denise Sharp, Teresa Ann Sharp Jackson, Robert Lee Sharp, Marvin Lester Sharp, Angela Marie Sharp Frati, Johari Usiku Akili "Julian Ray Sharp", Lisa Yvonne Sharp (Wayne) Smalls, and Jerry Lee Sharp. Octavia was the proud grandmother of fifteen and great-grandmother of ten. She was an aunt to many nieces and nephews along with a host of relatives and friends. She was the eldest child of Ola Mae Robinson and the middle child of Robert Latner Hutcherson. Octavia spent her early years living in Buffalo Creek before moving to Riley Camp with her family. She later lived in Bengal Hollow, Low Ash Hill in Accoville, and Midway Camp in Kistler before relocating to New York, eventually returning to Midway Camp. She attended Accoville Grade School, Buffalo Grade, and Buffalo High School but left school early. At the age of 32, she earned her GED, and at 38, she pursued higher education, attaining an associate degree from Southern WV Community College. In 1983, she received her Beauty Culture Diploma and License from the Cosmetology Department of the Wyoming Vocational and Technical Center. Octavia was an entrepreneur who owned several businesses, including a small candy store with pool tables and pinball machines beside her home in Midway Camp. She also established Sharp's Variety and Fabric Shop, first in her yard and later in downtown Man. In addition, she worked as an office assistant for a road construction company and as a dispatcher for Buffalo Mining, owned by Pittston Coal Company. As a single mother, Octavia demonstrated remarkable strength and perseverance, overcoming many challenges. She operated the Hair Affair Beauty Salon in Sandy Bottom, Kistler, and later partnered with Alan Doss. During her time in New York, she worked at Nassau University Medical Center in the Sterilization Department. Upon retiring, she returned to Kistler, where she restarted Sunday School, encouraging parents in the neighborhood to send their children to learn about the Lord. Many of them did. Octavia's Christian journey began as a young girl at the Becco Tabernacle, where she was a member for several years before joining St. James Missionary Baptist Church and its choir. She attended and worked at Sessions Tabernacle in New York City and the Joy of Freeport, NY, under Bishop Phillip Sharp, and became a Licensed Minister, and served as the New York National District Sunday School Superintendent. Upon her return to St. James, she served as the Superintendent of Sunday School. She was also an active member of the Guyan Valley District Choir and held roles as Registration Attendant, Recording Secretary, and 1st Vice President of the Guyan Valley Baptist District Woman's Convention. Octavia had several hobbies, including sewing, crocheting, writing, painting, arts and crafts, singing, and gardening. She spent many joyous days tending to her flowers. Octavia was preceded in death by her mother, Ola Mae; her biological father, Robert; her paternal father, Orville; her grandmother, Mattie Bryant (Dave) Cunningham; and her great-grandparents, Hattie Cummings (Ben) Bryant. She was also preceded in death by her maternal siblings, Orville (Dorothy) Sharp I, Leroy (Shirley) Sharp Sr., and Raymond Sharp. She is survived by her maternal siblings, Francis Mae Sharp Saunders and Shirley Ann Allen. Additionally, Octavia was preceded in death by her biological siblings, Evelyna Crowder Hutcherson, Louvenia Crowder Brown, James L. "Mutt" Hutcherson, Ruth Hutcherson McGuire, Bobbie Hutcherson Tolliver, Irene Hutcherson, Helen Hutcherson, Robert L. Hutcherson, and Betty Jane Hutcherson. She is survived by her paternal siblings, William A. Hutcherson, Shirley Hutcherson Howze, Pearline Hutcherson Hancock, Judy Hutcherson Boyd, Frances Hutcherson Hacker, and Hildred Jean Hutcherson Meadows. A Celebration of Life will be begin at 1 p.m. Monday, August 26, 2024, at Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home in Man, with the Rev. Michael Pollard officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens at Godby. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Online condolences may be sent to www.krantzmcneelyfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man.