Sharyn Marie Peña

On Sunday, August 16th Sharyn, our sweet wife and mother, was reunited with Elizabeth (Castown) Kelly, her mother and Jesse W. Kelly, her father, in Heaven. Although our hearts break for our loss, we walk in joy, knowing that Sharyn’s body mind and spirit have now been fully restored in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ where he has welcomed her with a “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Sharyn was born in Burlington, North Carolina on December 13, 1946, and was the first of three children born to Jesse and Elizabeth Kelly. She grew up moving frequently with the military. She loved her time living in North Carolina, because she was close to her grandparents. She had fond memories of listening to her grandfather preach and helping her grandmother in the garden. During her time in Honolulu, Hawaii, she spent the summer swimming and hanging out at the beach and the school year on the swim team. She was amazing at the back stroke and even had a chance to swim with dolphins.

After graduating in 1966 from Honolulu High School she moved with her family to San Antonio, Texas, where she dated and married the love her life, Hilario “Lalo” Peña. Lalo saw Sharyn in the college break room and said to his friends, “I’m going to date her.” She was a gorgeous, petite blonde so of course they thought she was way out of his league, but that didn’t stop him. Nine months later they tied the knot. Sharyn went on to work at Maine Bank as a loan secretary. She retired early because of Multiple Sclerosis, allowing her to stay home with her son, Patrick and daughter, Latrice.

Sharyn enjoyed reading books, and eat vanilla ice cream. She avidly supported Lalo’s career with the San Antonio Police Department and after Lalo’s retirement they enjoyed their time together by traveling or just sitting at home holding hands. She loved to cheer on the Chicago Cubs with her son Patrick, and scrapbooking with her daughter, Latrice.

Sharyn accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior in her twenties. She was faithfully involved in her church, serving at First Baptist Universal City and then in 1982 at Live Oak First Baptist Church where she continued to serve the Lord by teaching youth Sunday school, working in the library, and co-directing Vacation Bible School. She spent 20 years in Bible Study Fellowship. Sharyn followed Proverbs 22:6 by raising her children in the way of the Lord. She would often ask them her Bible study questions or assist them with their own Bible homework, and they would hear her practice her verses so much that they too memorized them. Sharyn also volunteered alongside Lalo at Agape Ministries, providing food, clothing and provisions for in need families in San Antonio.

We are reminded of the promise in James to “consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds because the testing of your faith develops perseverance”. Throughout her struggle with Multiple Sclerosis Sharyn was a daily testament of faith and perseverance allowing the Lord to use her precious gifts to serve her family, friends, church, and community.

Sharyn leaves behind her husband Hilario “Lalo” Peña, children Patrick (Kristine) Peña, and Latrice (Christopher) Robertson, and grandchildren Torin Peña and Kyle Robertson. She is also survived by her loving mother of 48 years Evelyn Kelly, and brothers and sisters, Steven (Linda) Kelly, Saundra (David) Wilson, Shirley (Mal) Brutko, Berry Knapp, David (Kay) Knapp, Joe (Celia) Peña, Ermelinda Peña, and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations may be sent in honor of Sharyn to support Agape Ministries 123 Lanark Dr San Antonio, Texas 78218 or the National MS Society, at The National MS Society at www.nationalmssociety.org.

A viewing will be held at: Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway San Antonio, Texas 78218, August 24th from 5pm-8pm.

The memorial service will take place at Live Oak First Baptist Church, 11560 Toepperwein Rd., Live Oak, Texas 78233, August 25th at 10am.