Sharon Powell Cooper was awarded the wings of an angel and exchanged her earthly home for a heavenly home on March 16, with family at her side.
She was born July 16, 1941, in Marion, OH, to Gladys and John Powell, but called Daytona Beach home, having been moved there in 1952. Her parents preceded her in death.
After graduation from Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach (class of ’59), Sharon received Bachelor and Master degrees in home economics and administration at Florida State University. She followed this up with her PhD in education from the University of Tennessee.
A highly committed and dedicated educator, Sharon taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Florida public schools early in her career. Following a period as a professor at Colorado State University, she transitioned in college administration at Florida Community College at Jacksonville (now Florida State College at Jacksonville), and finally as vice president for instruction at Central Florida Community College (now College of Central Florida) before retiring in 2008.
Retirement found her busy at her church, St. John Lutheran, and deeply involved with the Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Research, helping to raise money to aid in cancer research. Beyond her activities in Ocala, Sharon and her husband enjoyed traveling to the far reaches of the world with her family. She thoroughly enjoyed exploring new cultures, meeting new people, and always trying new things.
Sharon is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Larry, sister, Barbara Cameron (Joe), daughter Khristina Dean (Mike), step-son John Cooper (Debbie), step-daughters Jeannice Braun(Fred), Lisa Coffey (Michael), 7 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren along with a legion of close friends.
She was a vibrant wife, mother, Nana, and friend who will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing her.
A memorial service for Sharon will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at St. John Lutheran Church in Ocala. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made in Sharon’s name to the Ocala Royal Dames Cancer Research, (PO Box 6163 Ocala, FL 34478).
