Sharon LaRae (Hamilton) Lewis, longtime resident of Moab, Utah, unexpectedly passed away of natural causes early Friday, June 19, 2015 at the age of 78 in her home.
Sharon was born on March 6, 1937 in Murray, Utah, to “Ike” Ira Mervin Hamilton Jr. and Minnie Rose Maxwell. She was the fourth of five children, and was raised in a home her father built in the small farming town of Tabiona, Utah. Sharon became the oldest child after her three older brothers each passed away at very young ages. Her younger brother, Colin Kelly Hamilton, and Sharon shared a special bond.
Sharon attended school in Tabiona. She played the clarinet in the school band and was the editor of the school newspaper and the yearbook. She enjoyed playing clarinet for the Days of ’47 parade. After high school graduation, she attended BYU, where she met Sylvan Lewis. They were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on December 29, 1958, for time and all eternity. The couple moved to Moab in 1963, soon after their first son was born. Sylvan had accepted a job as a teacher. They eventually had six boys, which caused Sharon to have to wait quite awhile for her sons to marry to finally get some girls she often longed for.
Sharon had a knack for business. She was good at accounting, shorthand, and typing. She worked at First Security Bank, for Elaine Matthews (attorney), then off and on at the treasurer’s office while trying to help her sons with their missions. She would often write her Christmas list in shorthand and leave it out for the kids to see without a worry of them being able to read it.
Sharon was very good at sewing and used these skills with her young family. The boys have fond memories of some of the clothes she has sewn for them. She was an excellent cook and her dinner rolls were frequently requested. She worked tirelessly on genealogy.
She was a very dependable worker at the Moab Family History Center and enjoyed helping others. She is known in the family as having a talent of remembering birthdays and giving the perfect gifts. She was honest, tender-hearted and very positive. Her children cannot remember their mother saying a bad thing about anyone. She was a very devoted wife and mother. The boys remember her as quiet spoken at home but could often be heard cheering over the crowd at their sporting events and would ask them afterwards if she embarrassed them. She had little desire to travel but would quickly make exceptions to go visit grandchildren or attend the temple..
She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions which included Relief Society President, Primary President and temple worker.
Sharon is survived by her husband (Sylvan); brother, Colin Kelly Hamilton (Liz) Murray, Utah; and children: Robert Tarlton Lewis, Avondale, Arizona; David Lynn Lewis (Rosanne), Moab; Marvin Jay Lewis (Jamie), Hyde Park, Utah; James Alton Lewis (Rachel), Riverton, Utah; Kelly Ivan Lewis (Anna), Stansbury Park, Utah; and Samual Allen Lewis, Moab. Grandchildren: Logan, Aaron, Kimberly, Brittnee, Ryan, Morgan, Zachary, Tyler, Benjamin, Eliza, Parker, Preston, Emma, Peyton, Evelyn, Lizzy, and Elsie.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and three older brothers; Keith Maxwell Hamilton (10), Mervin Neil Hamilton (10), and Robert Gay Hamilton (3).
Her presence will be greatly missed.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 10 a.m. with the services to follow at 11 a.m. at the Moab LDS Stake Center. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
You may send condolences to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
