Sharon Lynn Harris

Sharon Lynn Harris, age 94, of Brownstown, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Schneck Medical Center, Seymour, surrounded by her loving family. Sharon graduated from Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas, in 1947. As a young adult, she ventured to Denver, Colorado, where she worked at a call center before moving to Kansas City, Missouri. It was there that she met her first husband. After their marriage, Sharon relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she welcomed her first two daughters. The family later moved to Waco, Texas, where she married her second husband and had her youngest daughter. Throughout her life, Sharon was a devoted mother, tirelessly providing for her family while raising her three daughters. She took great pride in her career as an exceptional waitress at several high-end restaurants, including Chateaubriand and Vincent's Seafood. Sharon was a woman ahead of her time, actively advocating for civil rights in the 1960s and remaining a passionate supporter of human rights throughout her life. In 2011, she moved to Brownstown, where she lived out the remainder of her long and impactful life. Sharon Lynn Harris will forever be loved and missed by her family and all who knew her. Born on December 31, 1930, in McKinney, Texas, Sharon was the daughter of John R. and Florine Moses Gateley, both of whom preceded her in death. Survivors include three daughters: Laura Garcia (Raul Garcia) of Round Rock, Texas, Audrey Velten Perry (Mark Fee) of Medora, and Elizabeth Harris (Larry Spicer) of Brownstown; eight grandchildren: Margaret (Wade) Anderson, Ronica (Trellis) Carson, Rosalynn (Schuyler) Schultz, Rubi (John) Shackles, Kris (Xiaowen) Garcia, Rudy (Sherry) Paltauf, Paige (Caleb) Wright, and Austin Perry (Abbi Hearing); and nine great-grandchildren. Sharon was also preceded in death by one brother, John Gateley; two grandchildren: Rihanna Paltauf and Roxanne Paltauf (who has been missing without closure since 2006); and one great-grandchild, Raven Shackles. Private funeral services for Sharon Lynn Harris will be conducted on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown, with Pastor Marty Wright officiating. Memorials may be given to NCME (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children). Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the caring staff at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc. Online memorials and condolences may be given at www.spurgeonfh.com