Sharon Fay Egnew

Sharon Fay Egnew, nee Robertson, 83 years of age, departed this life on the evening of December 5th, 2017 after a short illness. A lifelong resident of Evansville, Indiana, Sharon passed with her husband of 66 years, Arnold Egnew, by her bedside at The Heritage Center.

Sharon was born 1934 on the Westside, living adjacent for most of her young life to the shipyards. Her family's home on the corner of St Joseph and Ohio Streets would one day be purchased to make way for the Mead Johnson corporate headquarters. Sharon lived and played on Ohio Street as a young girl and would tell her family stories of living across from the shipyards during World War II; of her father Otis who was a train engineer for L & N, her mother Myrtle, who stayed at home and watched over her and her three sisters: Loraine Tyson, Juanita (Butch) Ellard, and Ilene Sweat. All of whom predeceased her through the years.

Sharon met her loving husband in the year 1950. Arnold asked his close friend if he could tag along on a double date, and met a 90 pound girl with a great big smile who would alter the course of his life. After a whirlwind courtship that included a fair amount of burgers, cokes, and listening to Benny Goodman's "Goodnight My Love" parked in front of her home, he asked her to marry him. On February 22nd, at the age of 16, they eloped to Georgia where a Justice of the Peace married them in a ceremony in the morning hours in his living room. They remained together until her passing.

So too with a happy marriage comes even more joy. Sharon and Arnold were blessed with beautiful and healthy children: Terry Egnew (Mary) of Jasper, Janet Scotten (Tony) of Indianapolis, and Scott Egnew (Vicki) of Mt. Vernon soon filled their small home on Shelby Avenue on Evansville's southeast side with noise and laughter. They soon grew up all too quickly as children are wont to do and had families of their own, much to Sharon and Arnold's delight.

Sharon loved her family passionately, and this was especially evident when it came to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her arms and lap holding them as soon as was possible, she adored each of them unabashedly. The first grandson, Anthony Scotten (Alicia), of Indianapolis, came along with granddaughter Amy Hughes (Adam) now of Douglas, Wyoming, soon after. Blessing them three times over again were Jesse Egnew (Lane) now of Summerville, South Carolina, Matthew Egnew of Evansville, and Zachary Egnew (Natasha) now of O'Neill, Nebraska. By God's grace Sharon lived long enough to know and love up a whole generation of wonderful great-grandchildren born into her and Arnold's family: Jordan and Jacob Scotten (of Colorado), Parker and Thomas Hughes (of Wyoming), Harper and Avery Egnew (of South Carolina) and Alexander Egnew (of Nebraska).

Sharon had an extended family of affectionate sisters and brothers in-law, devoted nieces and nephews on both sides, countless friends, neighbors, and coworkers from her time spent at both EVSC and Consumer Credit Counseling Services. Even the hairdresser or the check out clerk would be warmly greeted every week as decades-old friends. She never knew a stranger, and she encountered so many that it would be impossible to write of all whom her life and light touched.

Sharon was a great lady, packed into a small body, filled with a tremendous heart. Even if her life seemed ordinary, everything was brimming with adventure and she would find delight in even the smallest of outings. She reflected and showed the love of Christ to all who encountered her and gave to her husband, her family, her friends an uncompromising, compassionate, and unwavering loving presence. We take solace in her passing knowing that she is with us still in prayer, and that one day we will feel her warm embrace again.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date . Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.

Alexander Memorial Park Burial Location: Heritage Chapel Mausoleum, Section K, Niche 2B