Obituary: Sharon Kaye Shephard

Sharon Kaye Soles Hawkins Shephard, age 44, suddenly departed this earthly life and entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, August 12, 2014.

Sharon was born on October 23, 1969, in Fort Lenard Wood, Missouri, to the union of Charles and Barbara Soles. On her family’s return from Monterey, California, Sharon attended Norwood Elementary, Norwood Junior High, and Clinton High School.

Sharon married Clarence E. Hawkins Jr. of Oak Ridge. This union was blessed with four children: Tarence E. Hawkins and Aurora C. Hawkins of Bel Camp, Maryland; Telisa C. Hawkins Maxwell (Glen) of Brunswick, Georgia; and Xavier S. Hawkins of Oliver Springs.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dennis J. Shephard; great-grandmother, Mary Royston; grandmother, Aurora Knaff; grandfather, Calvin Knaff; aunts, Dezora Wells, Edna Knaff, Jane Ann Johnson, and Betty Knaff; and uncles, Maurice Soles, Onard Knaff, and James Knaff.

As a member of Little Leaf Missionary Baptist Church in Oliver Springs, Sharon’s Christian journey began as a youth. She loved singing in the Youth Choir, and she assisted the Youth Choir until her sudden demise.

In addition to her four children, she leaves to mourn her transition, her loving mother and father, Barbara and Charles Soles; devoted sisters, Sherri Johnson and Deirdre Oliver; grandchild, Sayurri P. Maxwell; aunts, Vera Soles, Gloria Soles, Lilly Soles, Geneva Soles, Beulah Wells, and Phyllis Knaff; uncles, Eddie Soles, Alfred Williams, William Knaff, Robert S. Knaff, Calvin Knaff, Clarence D. Wells, and Claude Johnson; and a host of loving cousins and friends. Sharon will be greatly missed by her entire family, her friends, and all who knew and loved her.

The family received friends Saturday, August 16, between 12 and 1 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. A memorial service followed at 1 p.m. with Elder Thomas Dews and the Rev. William Caldwell officiating.

Sharp Funeral Home is serving the Shephard family, and an online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.