Sharon Louise Henson

Week with her Lord and Savior on the 8th of April, 2020. Sharon was born in Potters

County (Amarillo), Texas to Allynn Simmons and Coy Byrtle Henson, an early Texas family

and early developers and founders of the citrus industry in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of

Texas and were founding directors of the Citrus Growers Co-op now known as Texsun.

Sharon moved to Austin in 1950 with her parents, Allynn and Coy, her older sister, Gail,

and younger sister, Joy.

Sharon was a 6th generation Texan, and her (four) grandchildren are eighth generation

Texans. Her maternal family moved to Texas in 1828, later joined the Robertson colony in

Robertson County, and were awarded Mexican and Spanish land grants.

Sharon’s great- grandmother, Emeline Smith, was born in the Republic of Texas in 1842.

Sharon loved history -- especially Texas, Southwestern Indian, and Medieval European Art

history. Upon graduating The University of Texas with a Bachelor’s in Art History, she

married Michael A. Wash in Austin, Texas. Sharon received her Master’s (MA) in Art

History from the University of Texas, Austin. As an Undergraduate, Sharon was voted

‘Sweetheart of the University’ as an underclassman and still to this day is one of the

youngest to receive this recognition.

Sharon loved to travel and enjoy beach experiences with her family. She was especially

fond of the simple moments looking for seashells and treasures with her kids and

grandkids along the Texas coast while also teaching and reminiscing about her European

experiences. One of her favorite summer-time enjoyments was making homemade peach

ice-cream with all the kids.

“HEE HEE”, as Sharon was fondly called by her sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews and

grandchildren, is remembered for her louder than life passionate personality, brilliant

creativity, and joyful loving spirit. Her artistic brilliance developed during her early years,

and included forging exquisite handcrafted jewelry, to creating designs, writings, drawings

and paintings. This flame burned brightly up until the end as she lovingly and tirelessly

hand painted many canvases that expressed her deep love of her Lord and her joy and

peace that He cultivated in her throughout the years until He sweetly and gracefully called

her home during Passion Week.

Sharon was preceded in death by her dear mother, Allynn, and beloved father, Coy, and

sisters, Joy Gattis and Gail Smith.

Sharon is survived by her daughters, Sharri Allynn Wash and Malinda Wash McFarlane and

husband, Scott Patrick McFarlane ; grand-children Cara Nicole and husband David Varela,

Pierce Christian, Elliott Grace and Aidan Robert McFarlane; Sharon is survived by many

special nieces, nephews and family members including Debbie Perry-Smith and husband,

Roger, David Johnson, Laura Gattis Wright and husband Frank, Gary and Marta Gattis,

Curtis and Megan Gattis and their families; Great nieces and nephews include Olivia,

Eleanor, Taylor, Hunter, Clayton, Blaine, Alyssa, Samantha, Rebecca, Jackson, Marlon and

Max.

More than a decade ago, Sharon moved closer to her Coppell, Texas family, the McFarlanes,

and was cared for by them and also her close friend and Aide, Tonja Franklin. Deepest

appreciation goes out to Tonja, April and family for their unwavering love and loyalty to

Sharon to ensure her continued well-being and joy. Sharon stayed close with many dear

cousins over the years, including Janis Shull and Bob Henson.

The family will hold Memorial Services in Coppell, Texas and will update details here soon.

Sharon will be reunited with her sisters and parents, and an Interment will be held at

Austin Memorial Park in Austin, Texas.