Sharon Ward Henderson

Sharon Elizabeth Ward Henderson, 76, of North Shelby County, AL, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2015 after a brief battle with cancer. She was born on December 18, 1938 in Mobile, AL and spent her early years there.

Sharon and her family moved to Pine Bluff, AR when she was in her early teens. After moving to Little Rock, AR, she spent her last two years of high school there and graduated from Little Rock Senior High School in 1957. She attended Lindenwood University in St. Louis, MO and The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR, and moved to Birmingham, AL in 1965.

Raising her family in Mountain Brook, AL, Sharon began working as a professional artist with a studio at Cobb Lane. She loved it and continued painting for many years. She exhibited her work, which was primarily in pen and ink as well as in watercolor, throughout the Southeast. Sharon is still represented in private and public collections throughout the U.S. and other countries.

Sharon painted and produced prints of the state bird and flower of Alabama, bearing the State seal. They were chosen to represent Alabama by the Governor’s office and given as gifts to visiting dignitaries.

Sharon was a member of many organizations and honor societies during her lifetime, including women’s and arts organizations, and was included in many Who’s Who publications, and magazine and news articles.

In addition to being a professional artist, Sharon was also a realtor for many years, primarily at MT Laurel, which is where she met her fiancé, Samuel August Catalino, who she always referred to as “her Sam.” Together, they restored the statues of Saint Joseph and The Blessed Virgin Mary, which are in the chancel of Saint Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church, of which they are members.

Sam was at Sharon's side, never leaving, from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday morning when she crossed over into the arms of her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ms. Henderson was predeceased by her parents, Mary Caroline Nash Ward and Gordon Bertram Ward I, and by her brother, Gordon Bertram Ward II. Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Ward Henderson Bice (Mike) and Anne Richmond Henderson Mancer; step-son, Donald Jordon Henderson; four grandchildren, Michael Thomas Bice, Jr., Evan Richard Woodward Mancer, Hannah Westbrooke Mancer, and Caroline Westbrook Bice; and extended family in Mobile, AL, Northport, AL, Paron, AR, and Jacksonville, FL.

The celebration of Ms. Henderson’s life will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Birmingham with burial following at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Pelham, AL. The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service.

Memorial gifts may be made to Cure OM of The Melanoma Research Fund, www.donate.melanoma.org.