Dear friends,
The Rich Mullins fan community just lost one of its best. Sharron DeCosta has been a dear friend for many years. Along with Tim Dickson and Andrew Montonera, I had the great privilege of moderating the “Rich Mullins Remembered” Facebook group with her. I truly believe that Sharron’s commitment and dedication— not only to that group, but to each of the friends she made in it— has played a huge part in helping the Rich Mullins community thrive on social media (and beyond) over the past decade. The three of us were blessed to spend countless hours chatting with Sharron about our shared love of Rich, and about our work moderating that group. I was always struck by how much she loved this community— and by how seriously she took her role as admin. No matter how small an issue may have seemed, she approached it with great care and consideration.
This is a huge loss. Personally, I am devastated at the loss of my friend. But it’s more than that. This is a tremendous loss for the Rich Mullins fan community as a whole. Sharron was one of our unsung heroes.
Earlier this week, we learned that Sharron was on Hospice care and that she would soon be leaving us. The following quote— a Facebook comment that she posted in the group six years ago— has provided great comfort over these past few days:
“When I feel cheated. And sad that I didn’t discover Rich until he had passed, I always think that we will have eternity with him! And we get to worship God with him! And sing God’s praises in His presence. And Rich will be there.”
Seven years ago, I sent Sharron a custom-made Rich Mullins “Be God’s” hat as a Christmas gift. Three years later, on Easter Sunday, she sent me this photograph— just to let me know she was wearing my hat that day. Sharron, words cannot describe how much you’ll be missed.
Welcome home, Ragamuffin.
— Joe Cook