Sharon Kay Smith

With shattered hearts the family of Sharon K. Smith announces her passing on July 8, 2023. Sharon leaves behind her dear husband, Clair D. Smith of almost 62 years. Children, Tim (Paula), Jodi (Darin), and Eric (Cari). Grandchildren, Brandon, Dustin, and Jared. Great- grandchildren, Bryan, Jaxon, Katie-Lynn, and Jaelyn.

Sharon was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing, they cared for her every need.  Sharon had a brief but heroic battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sharon was a fifth generation Arizonan. Sharon’s family , the Olivers, Coopers and Whites helped to found this beautiful state we live in and her family have been pioneers to the Arizona territory, original homesteaders, developers of towns, cities and infrastructure, The town of Adair located at the bottom of Fools hollow lake was adjacent to the original homestead. There isn’t much in showlow, Taylor, and snowflake that wasn’t either owned, ranched or farmed by Sharon’s family at one time or another. 

Sharon was born in Mesa Az, August 30, 1943, she was the last of six children born to John and Ceola White and the only child of the six to be born in a hospital. While the labor and delivery nurse was down the hall Sharon’s dad delivered her.  

Sharon came into a family of siblings including John, Cherrel, Lloyd, Brian and Charlie. Sharon’s parents moved to Ft Apache when she was still a toddler. The White family moved into the last house across the street from the girls building. It happened to be the house where General Crook had lived at Ft Apache.  Sharon made many lifetime friends while living in Ft. Apache. Sharon’s kinship, love and respect for her her dear friends, the White Mountain Apache people has never faded and has only grown stronger, they are her extended family. 

She is always the girl from Ft. Apache.  

In Phoenix, while in high school Sharon met husband Clair Smith. As he story goes Clair had already seen her years before while still in the white mountains at a Turkey shoot and had gotten his attention by being a crack shot. Sept 5 1962 is their anniversary, married to the same person, as they always have said. Nearly 62 years. Sharon and Clair have always said they couldn’t divorce because no one would take the kids, that was later amended to no one will take the grandkids. Many years spent in Tucson were very happy.  In the early 1990’s Clair and Sharon moved back to the mountain and have lived in Taylor ever since. 

Sharon’s family would like to thank, MD Anderson, Dr Jeff Moffat and his staff, Summit Hospital Staff, Accord Hospice and all the other wonderful transport and medical equipment setup.  Thank you to many people behind the scenes that helped us to care for our dear Sharon.