Sharon Hoerig Whitworth

Sharon Hoerig Whitworth was born in Shiner, Texas in 1951. She graduated from Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth, Texas. She later married James Essary and had two beautiful children, a boy and a girl; Michael and Michelle Essary. Sharon was 19 when Michael was born and 20 when Shelley was born. She often said that she grew up with her children because she was so young when her first two were born. Sharon loved to sing and harmonize. She taught herself to play guitar and piano and could play by ear. She loved God and was a Christian most of her life. James was in the Army so he and Sharon moved the family where he was stationed so that they could be together. They lived in Okinawa Japan, Nekoma North Dakota, Arlington Virginia, and Alvarado Texas and divorced after 10 years of marriage. Sharon was a dedicated employee to Radio Shack, a Tandy Corporation company, and also to the Fort Worth Star Telegram.

Sharon had a nickname; Mellow Yellow. In her youth she was fiercely fun, adventurous, somewhat of a free spirit, and loved being barefooted as much as she could. She enjoyed dance contests in the living room, tennis, going to the park, playing the guitar/piano and singing songs with her kids. Sharon also loved to go for drives. She’d scoop up the kids, put them in the car, get them a treat and go for a ride. She’d challenge them to see shapes in the clouds and God’s handiwork everywhere. She was a very creative and talented individual who loved writing poetry, painting and drawing.

Sharon later married Ray Whitworth. She was 31 when she had her third child, Jeffrey Whitworth. Sharon, Ray, Mike, Shelley, and Jeff lived in Burleson Texas. She spent lots of time in prayer and devotion and growing in Christ. It was in this stage of her life that she also grew up and became a quiet, loving and gentle soul with a laugh that was loud and very contagious. Sharon and Ray kept the family in church and growing and sadly divorced after 33 years of marriage. Sharon loved Jesus and having a close relationship with our Lord and Father. She also loved her friends, children and grandchildren and will be greatly missed.

Don’t grieve for me, for now I am free to follow the path God made for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call. I turned by back and left it all. I could not stay another day, to love, to laugh, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, for I found peace at last that day. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembering joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, oh yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with hearts of sorrow. My wish for you is the hope of tomorrow. My life has been full; I’ve savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed much too brief; don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wants me now; I’ve gone home and I’m free.

She leaves to cherish her eldest son Michael Essary, his wife Tracy and their children Aly and Colten; daughter Michelle McAllum, her husband William, and their daughters Hannah and Mia; youngest son Jeffrey Whitworth and his daughter Shelbi.