of Mountain Home, AR
May 2, 1945 - May 22, 2025
Sharon Rose Waddell passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025 at her home in Mountain Home, Arkansas with her son, rocks, cats and flowers at her side. Sharon was born May 2, 1945 in Springfield, Illinois, the daughter to Harry and Alta Drennan.
Sharon spent most of her adult career working for the West Plains School district as first a substitute teacher and then as a GED teacher. She helped countless students get their GEDs and in turn, helped them make a better life for themselves. Sharon also ran a bee supply store and traveled the country selling rocks, minerals and fossils.
She had a lifelong love of the outdoors. Sharon grew up in the woods, hunting, fishing and hunting mushrooms with her family. In her adult years her true passion for life was given birth on a farm in Illinois when she found her first geode. From her first geode, Sharon was hooked at finding all the beautiful things the earth could make. Sharon also enjoyed photography and capturing the beauty around her.
Sharon was a lifetime member of the Ozarks Earth Sciences Club and the Midwest Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Alta Drennan; one Brother, Larry Drennan; one sister, Judith Ann Drennan; one niece, Kiersten Walchle; cousins, Pat McCone, Jimmy Langston, Ike Garst, Robin Robinette, John Robinette and Tom Robinette.
Sharon is survived by her son, Pete Waddell; Brother, Bud (Pam) Drennan, Terry Drennan, Phyllis Joy Leonard, Bess (DJ) George and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Sharon touched many lives over the years with her generous heart, love of exploring and never-give-up attitude. She will be missed by many.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
A special thank you to the staff of Hospice of the Ozarks for their tender care. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks, 701 Burnett Drive, Mountain Home, Arkansas 72653.
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11 Condolence(s)
Keith Slayton
Monday, June 2, 2025
The Fluorite Queen! Enjoyed visiting with Sharon at the shows, and one special time at her beautiful home. I will miss her kind and giving heart. Yes, and her smile too.
Penny Fox-Jones
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Sharon was sweet lady, full of fun, adventure, love of nature, cats, rocks and her son. I spent many a day with her laughing, baking and making her famous fudge. I will miss her.
Pat Judd
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Sharon will live in my memory as a gentle, quiet woman full of wisdom. She was so creative! I feel lucky to have one of her beautiful gem trees on display at my house. We did several rock and gem shows over the past 20 years or so. It seemed like every vendor at every show knew Sharon and thought highly of her. Her show displays were always great! As we face the upcoming season of rock and gem shows, it will not feel the same without her. Sharon will be missed for sure.
Ryan & Anna Clark
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ryan & Anna Clark
Allison Blache'
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
You will forever be in my heart. From the first time we met we talked every day. I still want to pick up the phone and talk to you. We both love our cats, the rock club, and all the beautiful things God created. I don't know what I am ever going to do without you. I do know we shall meet again. With all my love.
Linda Plowman
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Thank you, for travel, rock hounding, teaching me, sharing your love of nature, rocks & flowers.
You will be missed💔
Rick Jackson
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Silas and I enjoyed helping her occasionally as she would let us at her rock booth. We have many of her pieces in our collections
Melanie Slayton
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
I will always treasure the times that I spent with Sharon and the things that I learned from her. She could look at a rock and immediately tell you what it was and where it came from. She will be greatly missed for her energetic personality and her wonderful knowledge.
Bess George
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Your life will always be treasured by the things you shared growing up. I will miss you Sis!
Mary Kay Wright
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Phyllis Joy Leonard
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Sharon has always been with in my heart and always will be. She loved to read. She would hide behind furniture to read so she wouldn't be bothered or she would climb a tree to read. She loved to be outdoors.
She did not like mushrooms, yet she loved morels and would do anything to get them when in season.
She loved flowers and shared them with others when they need to be divided and thinned out. She loved her cats, her unusual cats with mitten feet and short tails.
She loved to travel and visit friends and family. She was very generous and always had a special gift for the person or persons she was visiting.
She loved rock collecting and shared her love for anyone around her. As her collection and knowledge grew, she started going to rock shows all over the country to sell and collect. I got to go with her many times. We went North, South, East and West: Florida, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Ky. California, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Iowa, Minn., S.D. Wyoming, New Mexico, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and some I've forgotten. We had many adventures and I loved traveling with her and seeing our beautiful nation and many of it's treasures.
I will cherish all these memories.