Sharon Strickland Woolard

On Sunday, October 7, 2018, Sharon Strickland Woolard, a beloved wife and mother, returned to her heavenly home after an arduous battle with pancreatic cancer. Sharon was born on May 4, 1956 in Bethel, North Carolina. She grew up in Hampton Roads, where she met and then married Randy, on September 6, 1980. They moved to Poquoson soon after the birth of their daughter, Ashley, in 1985. Their biggest blessing in Poquoson was meeting their best friends Everett and Cynthia Jordan. They raised their children side by side and spent almost every vacation and holiday together. Upon their retirement, Sharon and Randy spent five enjoyable years in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where they made many lifelong friends, including all of her “Salty Sisters”. Her favorite moments were spent entertaining friends and family, golf cart rides to the beach, and dancing with her husband at Fat Harold’s Beach Club. Sharon and Randy moved to Williamsburg, Virginia after her diagnosis in June of 2017 to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law, Aaron. Sharon was incredibly talented and had a passion for interior decorating and crafting. When she was at home, she could usually be found in her craft room either sewing, creating wreaths, chalk painting furniture, or outside tending to her flowers. Sharon was a courageous and determined woman who never gave up hope after both her breast cancer diagnosis in 2005 and pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2017. Her faith in God and the support of her family and friends helped give her the strength to travel to hospitals in Charleston, Baltimore, Richmond, Williamsburg, and Chicago to endure chemotherapies, surgeries, radiation treatments, and clinical trials. Even in her darkest days, she frequently spoke of all the blessings in her life and served as an inspiration to others with her optimism and contagious smile. She wanted to inspire others battling cancer by encouraging them to never give up hope. She will forever be missed by her husband, daughter, and son-in-law, but they know that she is decorating a place for them in heaven for when they meet again. Sharon was preceded in death by her father, John W. Strickland and brother, Donnie Hooten. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Randy Woolard; daughter, Ashley DeKerlegand and her husband Aaron; mother, Dorothy Barnes; stepmother, Elaine Faison; brother, John Strickland, Jr. (Judy); brother, Greg Strickland (Leigh); sister, Cathy Conner; brother, Dwyane Strickland (Missy); and sister, Darlene Strickland (Jim). She also leaves behind her Uncle Billy Barnes and his wife Kay; cousins, Belinda Parvin (Doug), Patrick Barnes (Denise), and Sarah Parvin; and her faithful canine companion, Patty. The family will greet friends from 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Friday, October 12, 2018 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1294 Poquoson Avenue, Poquoson. Entombment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park, Hampton. Memorial contributions may be made to The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. “What brings us to tears, will lead us to grace. Our pain is never wasted.” – Bob Goff