Richmond Francis Sharbrough was born Sept. 13, 1930. He grew up in Holly Bluff,  the son of Frank Wilson “Jack” and Ilva James Sharbrough. Holly Bluff is a small Delta town on the banks of the Sunflower River, founded by his grandfather, F.W. Sharbrough Sr., and inhabited mostly by the owners of the surrounding plantations.

His family owned Valley Home plantation where he and his brother, Frank, spent many happy days. They both attended Holly Bluff schools and later graduated high school from Culver Military Academy in Culver, Ind.

There he was a member of the famed Black Horse Troop, a precision group that represented Culver in many parades around the country. He attended Tulane University for his undergraduate, pre-med studies and was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He attended and graduated medical school at the University of Mississippi accelerated program in Oxford, where he was a member of Phi Chi medical fraternity. He furthered his medical studies at Tulane University.

After graduation, he served his internship at Mercy Hospital Street Clinic in Vicksburg, and there he became interested in anesthesiology. He began his residency in anesthesia at the University of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson and became chief resident. He then finished his residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans under the famed Dr. Adriani. He then served his two years in the service of his country as chief of anesthesia at the U.S. Army Hospital at Fort Jackson, S.C. During this time, he was offered the position of chief of anesthesiology back at Mercy Hospital Street Clinic in Vicksburg. Dr. Sharbrough was a fellow of the American Board of Anesthesiologists. He served locally as president of the West Mississippi Medical Association and chief of staff of the Mercy Hospital Street Memorial.

When his children were young and active in swimming, he had a strong interest in the Vicksburg Swimming Association. As he always did everything in a big way, he called Dr. Councilman, a top swim instructor at the University of Indiana, for advice.

Dr. Councilman sent him his book on swimming and Richmond memorized it. After that, you could often see him walking up and down the poolside with his book giving instructions to members of the team. As a result, he became known as “Councilman.”

Another of his great loves was golf. He and his group played several times a week at the Vicksburg Country Club, which was his home away from home. He coached the Vicksburg High School golf team and took them to the Big Eight Tournaments. He was also team doctor for the St. Aloysius High School football team for many years.

His other hobbies included antiques, painting, taxidermy, collecting civil war artifacts and hunting.

He leaves his daughters, Susan Sharbrough Watson and her husband, Albert of Birmingham, Ala., and Jacquelyn Bailey Sharbrough of Houston, Texas; and their mother, Joan Bailey of Vicksburg. Also, his four grandchildren, Albert McDavid Watson Jr., Richmond Sharbrough Watson, (Susan’s children) and Graye Michael Taten and Skyler Lane Taten (Jackie’s children); and one great-granddaughter, Avery Elizabeth Watson. He also leaves his brother and sister in law, Dr. Frank Wilson and Lynda Sharbrough of Rochester, Minn., and their children and grandchildren.

His oldest daughter, Jo Ann Sharbrough, peacefully passed away after Richmond’s passing and her service will be held jointly with his. This service will be on Saturday, April 7, at the sanctuary at Crawford Street United Methodist Church, 900 Crawford St., with the Rev. Dr. Tom Atkins presiding.

Visitation will be at 3 p.m. and the memorial services at 4 p.m. Following the service will be a reception.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in their memory to Crawford Street United Methodist Church or to Houston Pets Alive (a no-kill pet rescue group in Houston, Texas). Checks should be made out to Houston Pets Alive and mailed to P.O. Box 36128 Houston, TX 77236 or you can donate online via their website at www.HoustonPetsAlive.org.