Funeral services were held recently for Sharon A.M. Pilgram-Blackmon, a long-time Los Angeles resident. She was 54.
Pilgram-Blackmon moved to Los Angeles from Arkansas in 1960 with her mother Bertha Lou M. McCoy. She attended Bret Hart Middle school and graduated from Washington High. During high school, she was a captain of the girl’s basketball all stars team, which gave her the opportunity to travel, a pastime she loved.
During her school years, Pilgram-Blackmon also had the opportunity to develop her entrepreneurial skills by operating a candy store with the help of an uncle.
That gave her the impetus and work ethic to begin employment at Watts Labor Community Action Committee at age 13. She stayed there until she was 17 years old. Following that, Pilgram-Blackmon began working a variety of jobs with the Los Angeles Unified School District. These jobs fed her love of working with youth.
Automobiles was another of her passions, and she indulged this by earning a degree in auto mechanics, which she put to good use helping family and friends.
A fun-loving individual who loved to cook and make people laugh with comical stories, Pilgram-Blackmon accepted Christ at an early age at True Gospel Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband Leo, her mother-in-law Georgia Blackmon; sisters Rosalyn Jones (Widby), Debbie Pilgram, Bonita Pilgram (Perkins), Candace Pilgram (Simmons); Brothers Wilbert (Mickey) Jones; Alvin Pilgram, Curtis (Jake) Pilgram Jr.; her son Antwine T. Blackmon and special friend Alfonso Gayle.
