Sharon Darlene Austin was born on March 31, 1947, in Muskogee Oklahoma. She was the eldest of eight children. Shortly after graduating from high school, she became a licensed cosmetologist, and later graduated from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in education. She always loved children and chose to become a high school English teacher and coach for the debate team and varsity high school girls’ softball team. Sharon loved fishing, camping, recreational softball, and cooking, but more than anything she loved the Lord! Sharon treasured time with her family and close friends. Her generosity, strength, and warmth left a lasting impact on those who knew her. She is survived by sons, John and Brian, daughters-in-law, Christina and Carol, grandchildren, Scott, Taylor, Branden, Trevor, Kelsi, and Daja and Dala, great grandchildren, Willow, Ophelia, and Eli, sisters, Phyllis, Paula, and Pam, several nieces and nephews, and a dear friend, Anita (whom she called daughter).
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Nina and Charles Newell, siblings, Hope, Linda, Karen, and Chip, son, David, and grandson, Christopher.
