Sharon McNeill “Shari” Davis, 60, passed away Monday, June 11, 2018, in her home. She was predeceased by the Love of her Life, her husband, Dale William “Bill” Davis, by a mere 5 months. She also followed to heaven her mother, Virginia Dare Howard McNeill, and her daughter, Kathryn Marie “Kati” Davis. She is survived by her father, Dr. David L. McNeill, MD; her sister, Jennie Campbell (husband, Stephen); her brother, Ron McNeill; her three children, Sara Anderson (husband, Josh); Senior Chief Will Davis, USN (wife, Christina); and Krys Mixon (husband, Phil); her six grandchildren, Willy Davis, Kati Davis, Gini Davis, Mya Brennan, Alivia Anderson, and P.R. Mixon; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She left behind more dear friends than could ever be listed here.
Sharon Elizabeth McNeill was born in Harris, Texas on March 27, 1958 to David and Virginia McNeill. She was a fun and energetic child with a curious mind who loved to read, and to read aloud to others. As a child, she would organize skits and plays with her neighborhood friends for their parents. She was active in her church and community activities, including drama and minor stage productions. She loved to be with people, but she loved her animals too, and as a child had been known to bring home a new friend with her a few times. Shari also had a very special bond with her mother that was strengthened, in part, through a mutual love of cooking and family traditions.
It was not until she attended college at the University of New Orleans that she met and fell in love with her soul mate, Bill Davis. Theirs was a strong bond that withstood the test of time and distance, the agonies of pain and loss, and all the other myriad trials and tribulations life has to offer. Bill and Shari married on May 19, 1979 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Theirs being a match made of a great love, naturally, it was only nine months and three days later that they welcomed their first child, Sara. Their son Will followed in 1982, and three years later, in 1985, they had twin daughters, Kati and Krys.
Kati’s little life was cut short two months after her birth when she died of SIDS. Shari used the tragedy of losing her daughter to bring awareness to the, then, little known or understood Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. She also formed a support group for people who had experienced the pain of a SIDS loss, offering understanding and a place to heal to a surprisingly large community in the Greater Orlando area. Always the consummate caregiver, she mended her own wounds by helping others to heal and she became a stronger person in the process. This pattern continued through most of her adult life, even including the way she was recovering after losing her husband in January of this year.
Shari was one of the kindest and warmest people you could ever hope to meet. She was the type of person who was, as I used to say, “overly generous to [her] own detriment.” She would give until she had no more left and then keep giving, never thinking of herself when anyone she loved was in need. Devout in her faith in God no matter how many times it was put to the test, she was heavily and happily involved in her church and in the elder care-giving community. Her passion was giving care to anyone who needed it.
After the love of her life passed, she started putting a positive spin on her life by traveling all over the country, seeing family, attending graduations, and even spending some relaxing time in Biloxi and Vegas. Her death was unexpected, and the world is a little lesser of a place because of it. Friends and family take comfort knowing that she has been reunited with her soul mate and daughter. We love you, Mom, and know that you, Dad and Kati are smiling down on us.
A memorial service will be held at 5 o’clock in the evening on the 24th day of June, 2018, at St. Giles Presbyterian Church at 116 Foxridge Rd, Orange Park, FL 32065. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Institute in honor of Shari’s memory.
Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS HOLLY HILL FUNERAL HOME, 3601 Old Jennings Rd, Middleburg, FL. Please post words of comfort at www.hollyhillfunerals.com.
