COVINGTON, Ga. — The Covington News was informed this morning that Dr. Homer F. Sharp Jr. has passed away after battling a long illness. 

Sharp served as a professor of Biology for Emory at Oxford University and was the head of the entire biology department. Sharp was also a member of the Board of Education as well as the Hospital Authority. 

Prior to his educational career, Sharp earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University in 1959. Three years later, he completed his master’s degree at the University of Georgia followed by obtaining a doctorate in 1970. 

A previous version of this story contained incorrect information about Dr. Homer F. Sharp Jr.