How a 69-Year-Old is Changing Her Community and Inspiring Generations

Image of the first students at Pine Grove School in Texas

In Walk With God Magazine, we feature a true Community Changer, Sharon Meador-Thorn.

Sharon Meador-Thorn

Looking back, Sharon Meador-Thorn describes her life as a journey through pain, uncertainty, and resilience. She remembers the moments when life felt unbearable, when caring for her children and facing personal struggles left her heart longing for something better.

In those seasons, she went to church and heard the Word, but it wasn’t until she began to pray that things truly started to shift. Prayer brought peace, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.

One defining memory has stayed with her for decades. “While I was in attendance at Pine Grove School in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. I remember feeling hurt and angry when, afterward, my parents transferred us to an all-white school.” 

That painful season later gave rise to her determination to preserve Pine Grove School — now a historic landmark — as both a testimony of resilience and a beacon for the next generation.

Sharon also found new ways to create opportunities for others. While raising four children and working full-time, she pursued her education and launched a clothing business for full-figured women at a time when few options existed. Her brand gave confidence to those who felt overlooked and showed that service can be as much about meeting practical needs as it is about offering spiritual encouragement.

Today, at 69 years young, Sharon continues to pursue her calling with faith and vision, living proof that it is never too late to learn, lead, or leave a legacy.

Sharon’s story offers a powerful message to elders in the body of Christ. Elders carry the sacred responsibility of modeling resilience, preserving memory, and imparting wisdom to future generations. Their experiences are not simply personal; they are testimonies that strengthen the Church and shape the faith of those who come after.

As Proverbs 16:31 teaches, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” 

The Church thrives when elders embrace this crown, not retreating into silence but speaking life, guiding with grace, and preserving both history and faith. In doing so, they remind us that God’s purposes are ageless, and His Kingdom advances through every season of life.

Read the full feature in Walk With God Magazine and discover how Sharon’s story can spark change in your own life and community.

By Jivel Tousand

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