Obituary for Rebecca Jane Sharon (Seymour) Rebecca Jane (Stone) Sharon was born February 4, 1926 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Finley M. and Blanche M. (Stauffer) Stone. She joined two older brothers, Homer and Melvin Stone. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1944, received a B.S. degree in sociology from Iowa State University in 1948, and earned a M.S. degree in Reading from Southwest Missouri State in 1977.
Her first job after college was as executive director of the YWCA in Boone, Iowa. For part of 1949, she lived in Norway as an exchange student with the Experiment in International Living. One day while visiting the large city of Copenhagen in Denmark, she chanced to pass a former boyfriend from college, also living as part of the Experiment.
A street photographer recorded the unlikely event, and on September 10, 1950, she was united in marriage to that man, James E. Sharon. Over the next 62 years they lived in Germany, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri. To this union three children were born: Deborah Jane, Julia Anne, and David James.
Music was a vital, loved part of her life. She played the string bass in all-state high school orchestras, the Cedar Rapids Symphony, and the Iowa State University symphony and concert band. For over 40 years she taught piano to over 300 students in the Seymour area.
For 45 years she played the piano and organ at her church, Seymour United Methodist. Raised in a Christian home, she became a Christian at an early age and her faith gave her a deep concern for people. Before becoming a teacher in Seymour, she had been a long-time volunteer in the civil rights movement in St. Louis, a social director for the Marie de Villa nursing home there, a Girl Scout leader, a Sunday school teacher, a small group leader at a local correctional facility, and a hostess to guests from around the world.
In 1964 her husband secretly wrote a letter to nominate her as a candidate for the “Suburban Homemaker of the Year” contest, sponsored by the St. Louis County Observer. After winning the St. Louis area contest, she went on to win the national award. Although she and Jim had lived in several cities, she loved the life they had in the country together.
Daily she appreciated the beauty in nature, training her children to see and love it, too. Rebecca taught at the elementary and junior high levels for 23 years, then volunteered for 23 years with Hospice Compassus. She helped form the Friends of the Library, was president of the library board for 9 years when the new local library was built, remained active in the Missouri Retired Teachers Association, tutored students of all ages, served in many ways at her church, and spent years driving older people to doctor appointments.
Her goal was never to sit more, entertain herself more, or accomplish less. She always believed that “the good life” was one that served, made things better for other people, and honored God. She was known for her enthusiasm, honesty, and mighty love.
Rebecca is survived by her children Deborah Sharon, Julie Thomas and husband Greg, David Sharon and wife Donna; her grandchildren Sam Sharon and wife Becca, Caitlin Buening and husband Kevin, Emily Thomas, Becca Lenox and husband Bryan, Benjamin Thomas and wife Brina; and her great-grandchildren Avery Buening, Owen Buening, Cara Lenox, Jude Lenox, and Juniper Sharon; several nieces and nephews, as well as many, many other dear friends. We celebrate the life and legacy of Rebecca Jane Sharon, holding on to the truth that through our Lord Jesus Christ we will meet again. In lieu of plants and flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Seymour Methodist Church or Seymour Friends of the Library and left at the funeral home.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rebecca Jane Sharon (Seymour) please visit our Sympathy Store. Previous Events Visitation , NOV 2. 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Seymour Methodist Church Seymour, MO, US Service , NOV 3.
10:00 AM Holman-Howe Funeral Home Seymour 214 West. Clinton Ave Seymour, MO, US, 65746 hhfhseymour@mchsi.com www.
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