Sharon Price Naughton

Sharon Alleen Price Naughton, daughter of the late Paul Wallace Price and Ella Alleen Vessell Price, was born on Friday, December 26, 1941, in Kennett and departed this life on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at NHC of Kennett at the age of 81 years, 3 months and 17 days. Sharon was a 1959 graduate of Kennett High School -- the first class to attend the school all four years at its present location. She enjoyed playing basketball, cheer leading for the KHS Indians, and riding her horses “Scout” and “Dynamite” with friends. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX, in 1963, and completed her internship with the United States Army where she rose to the rank of Captain after four years of service. She served honorably with the 249th General Hospitals in Denver, CO, and San Francisco, CA, including being stationed nearly two years in Japan, during the Vietnam War. Her superiors complimented her as demonstrating “superior initiative” and said she was an “enthusiastic credit to the service,” which she served with “loyalty and pride.” Following her military service, Sharon worked for several years in geriatrics in Tucson, AZ, and industrial rehabilitation in Las Vegas, NV, before joining the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Missouri in Kennett as its first registered Occupational Therapist in 1980. She also worked with NHC Healthcare Kennett, and later returned to industrial rehabilitation and hospital work through SEMO Hospital in Cape Girardeau, MO, during the last several years of her 40-year career. Sharon was a devoted daughter, sister, and friend. She adored being mother to her daughters, Emma Naughton Price of Kennett, and Becky (David) Naughton Wright of Bedford, IN, and grandmother to Spenser B. Price of Ketchikan, AK, and Matthew J. Price of Vero Beach, FL. She was a quiet, kind and peaceful person who enjoyed the company of many friends in Kennett and beyond, several of whom she had known since childhood. She lived 1 Cor. 13:4-8 every day, finding joy in seeing others succeed and be happy. Sharon taught her children how to ride horses on desert trails and dry riverbeds in Tucson, AZ. She loved all dogs, but especially Great Danes. She attended nearly every little league, school, choir and band performance, and sporting event of her children and grandchildren, and loved sharing stories of her family’s history. She was a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and its state affiliates in Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Missouri. She also enjoyed Sunday School and various committees and events as a member of the Kennett First Baptist Church. Though she lost her more than 20-year battle with various forms of cancer, she focused only on her blessings and never complained -- ever. Survivors include her daughters and grandsons, sister Sherry Ann Price Ford (Everett) of Germantown, TN; nieces and nephews, Paula D. Ford Massey (Kevin) of North Richland Hills, TX, Pamela L. Ford Neri (Vince) of Collierville, TN, Scott A. Ford (Dawn) of Horn Lake, MS, B. Keath Ford (Teresa) of Lakeland, TN; cousins, Tommy Price of Kennett and Charles Price (Faye) of St. Louis, and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her Aunt Blon and Uncle Ralph Houlihan, and Uncle Cletus Vessel. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Noon at the Powell Funeral Chapel in Kennett, with Reverend Steven Scherer officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and continue until the time of service. Graveside service and burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kennett. Pallbearers will be Everett Ford, Scott Ford, Matthew Price and David Wright. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Kennett Youth Fund. Powell Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.