Sharon O’dell Richards, 81, has joyfully joined her husband of 52 years, Don, in the open arms of Jesus. She began her eternal journey at sunrise on Oct. 10, 2021.

Sharon was born Oct. 3, 1940, as a coal miner’s daughter in West Virginia. She was born just as her daddy, Sidney O’dell, died. Sharon was the last one of five daughters born to Sidney and Ava O’dell. She also had a brother.

During the 1940s and ‘50s, her mama struggled to raise her six children alone. Sharon traveled all over the USA by plane, bus, train and car, as a child being shuffled by her adult siblings in order to survive.

As a Navy chief’s wife, she lived in Rota, Spain, during the 1960s. After returning to the U.S. as a family of six, they traveled coast to coast crossing every state line at least once, over the next 15 years.

In the 1990s, Sharon and Don, along with their daughter, Sabra, bought a country store in Collierstown. They worked there tirelessly 20 years, enjoying being the center of the community.

Sharon and Don shared five children during their union: Don James Richards, Sabra Dee Richards, Greg Allen Richards, Steven David Richards and Dawn Faith Djurdjevich.

Life’s path slowly added seven grandchildren and 17 great-grand-children to the family, one day at a time.

Special thanks to Dr. Sayre and the Hospice team who helped during Sharon’s transition into eternity.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. N-G

The News-Gazette

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