Sharon Apodaca

Sharon, or "Cissy" as she was known to some of her family and friends, was born on May 2, 1962, in Lake City, Fla. to the late Lloyd Vance Fox and Wanda Jean Hensley Fox of Erwin, Tenn.

She graduated from Perry High School in Perry, Ga. and attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga., where she majored in psychology.

She is survived by her husband, David Joseph Apodaca; daughter Lacy Ann Apodaca, Decatur, Tenn.; son David Joseph "JoJo" Apodaca, Ooltewah, Tenn.; sister Sheri Ann Fox (Fred White) Lookout Mountain, Ga.; grandson Colt Bentley Watson, Decatur, Tenn.; and various other beloved family members.

While those who knew and loved Sharon are heartbroken by her unexpected passing at so young an age, they celebrate a life well lived and one that touched so many in ways both large and small.

She devoted her life to caring for her family and friends and opened her home and heart to all who needed her. Whether it was something as simple as a listening ear or as considerable as a place to live and help getting back on your feet, Sharon was there for everyone without a moment's hesitation and without judgment. This loving nature and big-heartedness included animals of every shape and size (except spiders), especially her horses Nova and Cupid, dog Panda, and cats Whiskers and Katie, and countless other animals that crossed her path over the years. She loved them, fed them, rescued them, and advocated for them from the time she was a small child and animals began "following" her home.

All who knew Sharon will miss her infectious smile, mischievous laugh, never-ending pranks and practical jokes, and perhaps most of all, her warm and steady presence.

Sharon's love of others was so profound that she wished for her body to be donated to science, and her family has honored her request. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Sharon's memory be honored with a donation to Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center “Reinbow Riders” at P.O. Box 1371, Cleveland, Tennessee 37311 or www.tristatetherapeuticriding.org

Sharon's life will be celebrated on Sunday, September 20, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home - Valley View Chapel with The Rev. Dr. Harry Lawrence officiating.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home.

Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com

Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421.