The Beverly Hills community is mourning Rhoda Sharp, center, a long-time fixture in the city. (photo courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills)

Flags in the city of Beverly Hills were lowered to half-staff on July 21 to honor longtime city resident and community leader Rhoda Sharp, who died last week.

A resident of Beverly Hills for more than 50 years, Sharp was a fixture throughout the city.

From her decades working at Beverly Hills High School, where she created the Regional Occupation Program, to her dedicated service with the Beverly Hills Rotary Club to her time as city commissioner, Sharp devoted her life to making Beverly Hills a better place.

“I am devastated that our community lost one of our most beloved treasures, Rhoda Sharp,” Mayor Lili Bosse said. “She was not only a dear friend to me, but anyone lucky enough to be near her felt her kindness, her love and her love of Beverly Hills.”

Most recently, Sharp served as chair of the city’s Human Relations Commission.

She was married to her late husband, Jim, for almost 30 years and was proud mother to sons Roger and Robert.

Family members shared that services were held graveside on July 24 at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery.