Sharon Kay McClanahan passed from this life on June 4. 2024, in Pulaski, TN. She was born on March 24, 1949, in Paris, TX, to Laura Carleen Elizabeth Neese McClanahan and Samuel Luther McClanahan. She was the 5th of 7 children. She graduated from Central High School in Shelbyville, TN, in 1967, and MTSU in 1971. Most of her working years were spent as a lab technician for Dairyman, Inc. in Lewisburg.
Although she had no children of her own, she was an aunt, caregiver, and nurturer for many children and adults throughout her life. She was a second mom to her twin sister’s children and a sister to her twin’s husband. An intentional gift giver – she gave from her heart often to all – oftentimes behind the scenes. She wasn’t attached to material things – she’d give you the shirt off her back. She valued education and instilling a love of learning from a young age. She was smart. She loved numbers. She was an avid reader and puzzle-solver. She was the one you wanted on your trivia team. There’s not an episode of Law & Order (and all of its derivatives) she hadn’t watched. Countless memories were made with us over buckets of popcorn at the movies. She was a great cook. She was independent and head strong. She lived the life she wanted. She was a genuine, honest, hard worker with so much integrity. She walked her talk. She loved unconditionally and accepted people as they were. And we love her so much for everything she brought to our lives. We are better humans because of her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Ray McClanahan, her sisters Jan Shapard and Cathy Kinser, and her brother-in-law Johnny Bledsoe. She is survived by her twin sister Karen (Dwight) Bledsoe, brother Carl (Pam) McClanahan, sister Debbie McClanahan, and brother-in-law Pete (Cathy) Kinser; nephew John (Scott) Bledsoe, niece Jennifer (Julie) Phoenix, and nephew Sam (Samantha) Bledsoe; grand-nieces Abi (Bill) Ziesemann and Delaney Ziesemann, and grand-nephews Westley Ziesemann, Otis Bledsoe, and Arlo Bledsoe; and many additional nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 8 at Bennett-May & Pierce in Pulaski at 12pm. Visitation will be from 10am-12pm before the service. Burial will follow at Hopper Cemetery in Laws Hill in Marshall County.
In lieu of flowers, we believe the best way to honor her would be to donate to Imagination Library, a library of your choice, or any children’s literacy program; giving a book to a child; and/or encouraging early literacy.