April 20, 2024
A service to honor and celebrate the life of Sharon Love Reynerson was held Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Evergreen Open Air Chapel under the direction of Fry and Gibbs Funeral Home in Paris Texas. A history of her life and accomplishments was shared by her son Mike Metcalf.
Sharon was born February 18, 1953 in Dallas Texas to A C and Bonnie Owens Love. After graduating from high school, she attended South Texas College of Law where she graduated in December 1985 and received her Juris Doctor Degree. She worked at Lone Star Legal Aid as Litigation Director for 37 years. She also served in the Texas National Guard
Sharon was the most recognized civil rights attorney in Paris Texas. She received too many awards to mention but included is the 1993 Outstanding Service Award, 1997 Outstanding Litigation Award, 2000 Outstanding Litigation Award and 2013 Bar Impact Award. In 2011, she received the James B. Sales Boots on the Ground Award that, according to the Access to Justice Commission, recognizes those who have made a lasting, extraordinary impact on the provision of legal service to low income Texans. Sharon also received the 2016 Concerned Citizens for Racial Equality Soldier of Freedom Award in recognition of her dedication and years of service to the Paris Texas Community.
Sharon advocated for children and adults with disibilities and her areas of practice was Disability Law, Health Care Law, Elder Law, LGBT Law, and Social Security Law. She was admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Texas Eastern District Court, the Texas Northern District Court, and the Texas Southern District Court.
Sharon was a strong advocate for equality in housing and safe and sanitary public housing conditions. She advocated for equality in public schools. She fought to have air conditioning on school buses, and bus stops placed at a safe and reasonable walking distance from students homes. She is responsible for handicapped ramps added to multiple areas in Paris.
Sharon has been interviewed by multiple national and international news reporters including BBC news reporter Julian O' Holloran, Chicago Tribune reporter Howard Witt as well as reporters from the New York Times, Houston Chronicle, Seventeen Magazine, The New Yorker, and Newsweek. She was a guest on The Montel Williams Show and the Steve Harvey Show.
Sharon was a bright light that has now dimmed but will never go out. She loved eating out with friends and family, going to concerts, and endlessly texting her friends and family on her phone. She had great love for her fur babies, Brother and Main. She will be missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her.
Left behind is her husband Billy Bell. Also, left to cherish her memory are her children; Stephanie Deion, Mike Metcalf and wife Bianca, Laura Henderson and husband Chris, grandchildren; Jessica, Courtney, Chandice, Adam, Angelica, Kyndal, Michael, Luke, Jacob, Josh and Christian. Great Grandchildren Braylon, Bryson, Evan, Ethan, Ava, Kha’, Leila, Sarai, Nemesis, Dylan, Melody, Maggie, Jayden, Harlynn. Brothers, Alan Love and Carl Love and sister, Carolyn Thompson. Also left to cherish her memory are a host of family and friends.
Pallbearers were Mike Metcalf, T. J. Brooks, Jacob Henry, and Chris Henderson. Honorary pallbearers were Braylon Reese and Bryson Reese. Burial was at Evergreen Cemetery.
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