Sharon Kay Needham
Lewis & Gillum Funeral Homes
200 Maple Avenue, Oak Hill, OH 45656
(p) 740-682-6696 (f) 740-286-5640
Sharon Kay Needham, age 82, of Oak Hill, Ohio passed away after a brief illness at Holzer Senior Living in Gallipolis, Ohio with her family at her bedside. She was born September 3rd, 1942, in Gallipolis, Ohio to the late James Albert and Sally (Jacobs) Hutchison.
Sharon was a 1960 graduate of Jackson High School. She completed her undergraduate degree in 1965 at Rio Grande College. She then went on to obtain her graduate degree in 1988 from the University of Dayton.
Due to a statewide shortage, Sharon began her teaching career after two years of college known as the Cadet Program. Sharon taught in Springfield, Ohio after her college graduation and marrying her husband, Paul she took a job teaching 5th and 6th graders reading. She also taught at Central School in Oak Hill, Ohio and eventually at Blackfork Elementary finishing out her 36-year teaching career.
Sharon was a member of Oak Hill United Presbyterian Church since 1964. During that time, she served in several capacities including Elder, Deacon, Trustee, and Sunday School Superintendent, as well as playing the pipe organ for services for over 50 years.
She was also involved in various community organizations including the Farm Bureau, Delta Kappa Gamma, Library Board, Literary Club, Retired Teachers of Jackson County, Pork Producers of Ohio, and a volunteer with the Oak Hill Food Pantry.
Sharon was a member of Wagon Wheelers Square Dance Club since 1979. She was an avid Dominoes, Rummikub, and Rummy player. In her spare time, she also enjoyed reading, doing word searches, taking long walks, and farm life but most of all her family!
She is survived by her daughters, Angela (Doug) Butts of Powell, Ohio and Annette (Earl) Thomas of Rio Grande, Ohio; sons, Myron (Tracey) Jones of Oak Hill, Ohio, Kelly (Julie) Needham, and Bill (Becky) Needham; granddaughters: Emily (Robert) Fouty of Wellston, Ohio, Kathryn (Dylan) Caylor of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Andrea (Kevin) Plis; grandsons: Michael Needham, Tim (Hilary) Needham, and Chris Needham; great-grandchildren: Madison Needham, Charlie Plis, and Boston Fouty; sister, Ruth Analee Wallace of Brownstown, Michigan; special friend, Dick Baker; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and sisters-in-law.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul Myron Jones; second husband, George Needham; sister, Janet Keenan; and granddaughter, Jeanie Needham.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 24th, 2025, from 12PM-3PM at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Oak Hill with a funeral service immediately after at 3PM with Jon Kelly officiating. Burial will follow at C.M. Cemetery in Oak Hill. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com.
Given her background, education and reading were both dear to Sharon’s heart. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Oak Hill Public Library, 226 Front Street, Oak Hill, OH 45656.