Sharon Kay (Guthrie) Kennedy

Sharon Kay (Guthrie) Kennedy, age 79, of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at the Knoxville Hospital and Clinics Emergency Room.
Visitation for Sharon will be held on Friday, July 15, 2022, at the Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville, from 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. with Sharon’s family present to greet friends and relatives. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. at the Winfield Funeral Home. Burial will follow services at Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. A luncheon will take place at the First United Methodist Church in Knoxville.
Sharon was born on September 11, 1942, in Knoxville, Iowa, the daughter of Marjorie Rosetta Guthrie. Sharon was raised in Harvey, Iowa. She attended Harvey School, then later Knoxville High School.
Sharon met her high school sweetheart on the school bus. Her friends advised her to stay away from him, but thankfully she didn’t listen. Sharon was united in marriage to the love of her life, Cecil Ray Kennedy on August 23, 1958, in Knoxville, Iowa. They were married for over 62 years. Sharon and Cecil lived their married lifetime in Flagler and were blessed with their daughter Cheryl Rae. Cecil would often quote about Cheryl, that “she was a chip off the old block”. Cheryl was her mother’s birthday present, born on September 11, 1964. They not only shared their birthdays together but have always had a very special mother/daughter bond. Sharon was her daughter’s best friend, hero, and wind beneath her wings.
Sharon worked at the overall factory in Knoxville, Oskaloosa, and Pella. She then retired so she could care for and spoil her grandsons. They were her greatest pride and joy, and were very close to her heart, Jeremy Lee, Justin Ray, and Jared Michael. They had a close relationship and share many wonderful memories together.
Sharon enjoyed being with her family, cooking, playing cards and puzzles, and going to the casino. In her more active years, she helped with home improvements including digging out their own basement, repairing a roof, putting on siding, and cleaning out the well. Whatever it was, she was there to help do what needed to be done. One of her other favorite things to do was to go mushroom hunting in the spring with her husband.
Sharon was a very compassionate, loving, strong-willed, and hard-working wife, mother, and grandmother. She had a heart of gold. Sharon was deeply loved by her family and will be greatly missed by them all.
Sharon is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl, and Terry Taft; three grandsons and one granddaughter-in-law, Jeremy and Janie Taft, Justin Taft, and Jared Taft; all of Knoxville.
Sharon is preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Kennedy; her mother, Marjorie Guthrie; infant brother, Richard Guthrie; and grandparents, William and Myrtle Guthrie.