Sharon Kay Holton

Sharon Kay (Barrows) Holton entered peacefully into the presence of her Lord on April 16, 2026 surrounded by her loved ones. Sharon was born on March 5,1938, in Albion, Michigan to Bruce and Ruth Barrows. 

Sharon moved to Spring Arbor and attended Warner Elementary, where she met her future husband Gordie Holton. She then attended Spring Arbor High School where she was a member of the Blue Jay girls basketball team and very active with “The Gospelettes Trio”,  which traveled around the state of Michigan to sing. She moved to Spring Arbor College to start her degree and finished with her Bachelors in Education from Eastern Michigan University. Sharon started teaching before she even graduated from college. She was a passionate and dedicated teacher for the Western School District for over 30 years. She spent most of her years as a kindergarten teacher and loved her students. 

Sharon was married to the love of her life, Gordie, for 68 years. They dated for four years before they married and they built a beautiful life together.   Sharon was an active member and leader of CBS (Community Bible Study). Sharon and Gordie attended a couples share group for 44 years with special friends. She was a long time member of The Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church and enjoyed many years as a choir member, where she recently sang in her last concert. She loved her entire family with her whole heart. She enjoyed hosting many family/friend gatherings throughout her years. Sharon spent many hours supporting Western High School sporting events and any sports or activities her children and  grandchildren were involved in. She loved singing, writing poems, doing puzzles, playing games competitively, meeting with her ladies club, traveling and cooking amazing meals (especially her famous dinner rolls).

She is survived by her husband Gordie, her children: Steve (Becky) Holton, Sheri Karazim, Garth Holton, and  Gina (Marty) Fortress,  her 13 grandchildren/16 great grandchildren: Kevin (Liz) Vivi and Max Holton, Eric (Alisa) Lailah Holton, Lance (Lindsay) Susie, Layne and Winnie Holton, Laura (Austin) Rory and Raegan Marks, Michael Karazim (Dan), Cody (Jessica) Finn and Sawyer Karazim, Britton (Shalan) Sullivan and Ian Karazim, Jena (Brandon) Vallea and Shiloh Valentine, Kayla (Kyler) Carpenter, Faith Holton, Steele (Anna) Paisley and Rocky Fortress, Hayden Fortress and Palmer Fortress.  These people were the joy of her life. 

She was preceded in death by her brother, Mike Barrows, her parents, Bruce and Ruth Barrows and her sister Judi Ransom.  Visitation will be held at Watson’s Funeral Home, Jackson, MI on Wednesday, April 29th from 4-6.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor can be made to the Youth Haven Ranch: https://www.youthhaven.org/donate

Visitation from 10 -11am, followed by a celebration of life service at The Arbor Church in SpringArbor, on Thursday, April 30th

Interment at Spring Arbor Cemetery will follow

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