Sharon Lynne Vandiveer
MEMPHIS - Sharon Lynne Vandiveer (née Morris), age 65, died peacefully at home in Brighton, TN on
January 2, 2021. She was born on September 11, 1955 in Memphis, TN to Jimmy and Mary Alice Morris.
Wife to John Vandiveer, mother to Amy Norris,
Keith Edwards, Jessica Edwards, and her beloved cats. She was the cherished Grandmama to Morgan,
Rebecca, Mckenzie, Mark, Justin, Mia and Charlee.
Sharon was a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines combining her love of traveling with serving others. However, her life’s work was being Mom to her “babies”. She loved fiercely, especially her family.
Pity the person who crossed one of her children and she knew about it!
Sharon was the ultimate cheerleader, known to deck out her car with streamers and create colorful posters to herald her children and grandchildren in their big life moments. She was always encouraging, instilling confidence in her loved ones and moving mountains to help her “kiddos” achieve their dreams. She made a habit of telling her family she loved them frequently, with daily reminders on their lunchbox napkins or signing off greeting cards and text messages with “I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!”
As a young mother, Sharon was always first in the carpool line, an hour before dismissal, ready to pass out smiles and waves (and the occasional Two-for-tuesday hamburgers from Mcdonalds). If you knew her you most likely took fistfuls of treats from her infamous candy bowl and have been wrapped in her warm, Opium-perfumed hugs. With a freezer full of FlaVor-ice pops and pizzas, she was Mom to all who knew her.
Sharon loved any reason to celebrate, especially during the Christmas season. She lined the driveway with decorations, had multiple Christmas trees, a vast nativity scene collection, sewed handmade stockings, blared Bing Crosby from the stereo, and ensured that white lights twinkled from every corner of the house (never those “tacky” colored lights). However, no light shined brighter than Sharon. If you were lucky enough to be around her home in December, she likely put you to work while also filling your arms with gifts and your belly with treats.
She was vivacious with an electric personality and always made people around her laugh. From the nail salon to the gas station, she made friends everywhere she went. She was a magnet, equal parts firecracker and empathetic listener, and you felt better just by being in her presence. Ever the cheerful giver, if you told her you liked something; it was most likely going home with you.
She married her main squeeze and best friend of many years, John Vandiveer, on October 7, 2000. Two years later, Sharon and John escaped Tennessee and its cold weather for the beach eventually settling in Englewood, FL. This would be the true home in her heart. She and John made memories with their new friends and enjoyed adventures playing board games, exploring the many beaches, towns, and mangroves, and lounging by the beach and pool under the swaying palm trees and warm sun.
With her kids grown, Sharon turned to mothering animals. Several stray cats were brought in from the wilderness, nursed back to health, and provided with a loving home. She fed all the neighborhood wildlife: racoons, opossums and even the alligators! Thankfully, she stopped once she received a ticket from Florida Wildlife. Those noisy neighbors!
In 2018, Sharon’s declining health prompted her move to Brighton, TN to be closer to Amy and her grandbabies. She spent her time caring for her cats and plants, listening to the tinkling windchimes as birds played in the birdbath, and snuggling with her devoted partner, John.
Now she is in heaven, catching up with the friends and family who went before her, and free from the pain that plagued her for the last several years. She is undoubtedly organizing pool parties and putting out a candy bowl at heaven’s gate, making everyone feel welcome and loved.
Sharon will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
Thank you to University Hospital in Cleveland and Sarasota Memorial Hospital, who provided compassionate care throughout her many health challenges. Thank you to her BCIR community for being supportive friends.
A private family service will later be held this month in Brighton, TN, more details to follow. A Celebration of Life with family in Florida will be scheduled for later in the summer.
In lieu of flowers, Sharon would want you to adopt an animal in need of a home, preferably many of them! If that is not possible, donations can be made to one of the local shelters she supported: Englewood Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS) in Englewood, FL, or the Humane Society of Sarasota County in Sarasota, FL. https://www.earsanimalrescue.com/how-to-help https://www.hssc.org/give/donate