Sharon Elaine Weaver

Mrs. Sharon Elaine Weaver of Apex, NC passed away on February 21, 2023, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was proceeded in death by her parents Bill and Betty Pounders, brother Kenny Pounders, as well as over forty close friends and co-workers who died in the Pentagon on 9/11/2001.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Dwight Weaver, of Apex, NC; her two sons Doug (Renee) and Wayne (Melanie) both of Apex, NC; four granddaughters Delaney (Garrett) Jourdan, Ryann Weaver, Avery Weaver, and Riley Weaver; two Grandsons Nicolas Weaver and William Weaver; sister Dianna Gant of Benton, AR; and sister-in-law Juanita (Weaver) Hunt of Fayetteville, AR; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Sharon was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Growing up, she was active in church, school, athletic, and civic affairs. She was a “Daughter of the American Revolution” Good-Citizen award winner, perpetual honor roll student, basketball player, and member of choral ensembles. But first and foremost, Sharon was a cheerleader, and she remained one in some capacity for the remainder of her life.

When a senior in high school she met Dwight and three years later they married. After his commissioning in the US Army, they left Arkansas for what turned out to be a lifetime of adventure. Together they were blessed with two wonderful sons. The family lived together in nine states and Japan before establishing their first semi-permanent home in Northern Virginia. After “the Boys” were grown and had begun families of their own, the family group reunited as the NC Weavers in Apex, NC.

Sharon’s favorite hobbies were music and theater, singing in multiple choirs and small groups, playing piano in her home church from the time she was 12 years old and continuing as pianist and organist in military chapels at each installation where her husband served. She found immense pleasure in theater performance, playing various roles while a student at Texas Tech and in Japan where her favorite was that of Lucy in “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”.

Sharon began her college education as a voice major at Texas Tech but did most of her academic studies in accounting and fiscal management at the University of Kentucky, Georgia State University, the University of Maryland, and Syracuse University -- her schools reflecting the family’s military duty stations.

She was first employed as a resource clerk at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA and later as a resource manager/director at Camp Zama Japan; Fort Belvoir, VA; The Pentagon; and Fort Bragg, NC. It was during her time at the Pentagon that she was selected to participate in the DoD Executive Leadership Development Program. She received awards and accolades for her service in the Pentagon, especially for her actions following the terrorist attack of 9/11. Her final position was Director of Resource Management for the US Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, where she retired after a 30 plus year career as a Department of the Army civilian.

After her retirement from government service, she devoted much of her time to her grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. The time she was able to spend with her “grands” was of immense importance to her. She also enjoyed hanging out with the other “golf widows”, joining the fun with her group of “Bunco Babes”, hanging out at the golf club patio with friends in their neighborhood, and then there were the Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties they could walk to. Her retirement years were rewarding.

Additionally, she and Dwight had annual treks to Arkansas to maintain close contact with their family and high school friends and used their visits as a perfect excuse for reunions. They also traveled together to see places in the United States they had not visited during their military travels and to visit with friends they had grown especially close to in their military assignments.

She was a member of Westwood Baptist Church (West Springfield, VA) for over 20 years, where she served as a deacon, summer mission leader, and on several committees. When she moved to North Carolina, she joined the Apex United Methodist church so she could worship with her grandchildren. In all churches she attended, she was a devoted member of the church choir.

Sharon was a woman of great class and style, a fierce supporter of her children and grandchildren, a devoted friend, and a steadfast Christian in word and deed. She was a proud breast cancer survivor and was especially supportive of other women afflicted with the disease. She fought to maintain her independence and to contribute to her community for as long as she was able. She was loved and respected by all who knew her, and she will be sorely missed!

A Memorial Service and Reception will be held on March 19, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Apex United Methodist Church in Apex, NC. Additionally, in the future there will be celebrations of her life in Arkansas with family and friends. Her ashes will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in her memory and honor to either the Alzheimer’s Association or the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.