Sharon Linda Shannon

Sharon was born in Tulare, CA on July 24, 1939 to James and Frances Swall. She was raised on the Swall Ranch homestead established in 1873. She attended Liberty Elementary School followed by Tulare Union High, graduating in 1957. She was an accomplished student and strong female athlete, which lead to her being awarded for the highest GPA of any female who had ever attended Tulare Union High at the time; as a result she was offered a scholarship to Stanford University. Sharon instead chose to marry the love of her life, Mike Shannon on July 26, 1957 and began an amazing journey.

Sharon & Mike were blessed with two sons Eric & Scott and while she took the responsibly of raising their children, Mike was busy managing a successful family farming operation. They also shared a love for golf and made amazing memories & friendships traveling the world playing the sport. Her golfing ability will be a part of Visalia Country Club history with an astounding 14-club championship wins. Some of her other passions included playing bridge, reading, traveling with her cherished family & friends in addition to being a beautiful and gracious hostess.

She was not only a champion on the golf course but also to her community. Her service included countless organizations but most notable were her roles as part of the Theta Tau Theta sorority who supported the Diabetic Youth Camp At Hume Lake and the Visalia Community hospital board. Sharon had natural tendencies to serve and help others whether it was making meals for a sick friend, offering rides to doctor appointments, or quietly helping behind the scenes with a friend’s personal issue. Having lived her entire life in the Visalia area Sharon will be missed by many, many friends but her strength of character and kind heart will leave a legacy.

Her true happiness in life came from her devoted husband Mike, her sons Eric & Scott and her three grandsons JR., Jerrid, and Dustin. The love and bond she shared with the men in her life was notably the truest definition of love. Later in life Sharon & Mike were again blessed with four great grandchildren. During her recent illness a visit from these little ones was guaranteed to bring her pure joy. Sharon also had a secret weapon with her famous chocolate chips cookies that always insured there were lots of frequent visits to her home from the family.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents James & Frances Swall and her beloved son Scott Shannon. She is survived by her husband Michael Shannon, Son Eric Shannon, his wife Kathy Shannon and grandchildren JR Shannon & wife Jayme, Jerrid Shannon & wife Alexandra, Dustin Shannon & longtime girlfriend Gina Slenders and great grandchildren Cash, Kingston, Shiloh, & Kherington. Sister, Joy Dewhirst, her husband Richard & their sons Richard and Drew & their wives and children. Step Sisters Norma Fulvio and Janice Newman & her family. Sister-in-law Kelly Fox & husband Byron and their children, and brother-in-law Patrick Shannon and his children.

Graveside services will be held June 5, 2015 at 10am at the Tulare Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the Visalia Country Club. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Scott Shannon Memorial Scholarship co- Tulare County Farm Bureau Foundation, the Visalia Community Rotary Foundation or a charity of your choice.