Sharon was born in Samson, AL on July 18, 1939 to Olan and Lanelle Phillips. She was the oldest of five children, raised in Mobile, AL where she enjoyed singing in the church choir at Whistler United Methodist and school programs often with her two sisters, Brenda and Jeanie. She graduated from Vigor HS in 1957 and later Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL with a degree in Elementary Education. Sharon was the first person in her family to graduate from college. Her four siblings followed her, a fact that her Father was proud to recount at family gatherings over the years. A lifelong learner, she obtained graduate degrees in Education from the University of Alabama and UAB.
Following college, she began her first teaching job back in Mobile and soon met her sweetheart and future husband of 60 years, Bill, who was the Band director at Vigor HS. After marrying, they moved to Decatur, AL to start new teaching jobs where they lived for over 50 years. They welcomed two daughters, Kim & Krista both of whom she was immensely proud. She taught several grades and subjects but had a special love for teaching middle schoolers in English and Social Studies, mostly at Brookhaven Middle School where she was awarded Brookhaven Middle School Teacher of the Year. She retired from teaching after 32 years and then found a new love working in cosmetics for Clarins at Castner Knott department store.
After several years, she retired for good, but remained active at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and several social and civic organization including Beta Sigma Pi and River City Pilot Club. After nearly 50 years in Decatur, she and Bill moved to the greater Atlanta area to be near her daughters, two sons-in-law and most importantly her five grandchildren! There, she enjoyed singing with the Soleil singers, singing in the choir at Canton First United Methodist and playing bridge, but mostly loved seeing her grandchildren. It has often been said that she had the most beautiful smile, and it was never brighter than when she was she was with her family.
Sharon is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bill; daughters Kim Collins and her husband, Mark; Krista Guichard and her husband, Paul; grandchildren Lauren Collins, Caroline, Will, Luke & Blake Guichard; Siblings Brenda Rains and husband Jim, Jeanie Hill and husband Thom, Eddie Phillips, Leo Phillips and wife Karen.
She was preceded in death by her parents Olan Edwin Phillips, Sr and Emily Lanelle Phillips.
Visitation will be held on October 23, 2023 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Roselawn Funeral Home in Decatur, AL. The Celebration of Life service will be held on October 24, 2023 at 1:00 pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Decatur, AL with Pastor Aaron Kretzschmar officiating. She will be laid to rest at Roselawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Decatur, AL.
