Sharon Ovella Larson (May 7, 1943) – (July 10, 2025)
Sharon Ovella Larson passed peacefully, with family and friends present, at the Knox County Nursing Home on July 10, 2025.
She was born May 7, 1943, in Bakersfield, CA, to Jesse Ray Bankston, Sr. and Dorothy Mae Jones. Sharon grew up in California, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin, with her mother and sister, Renay Albrecht.
Sharon married Jack Larson April 3, 1965, in La Crosse, WI, after a long courtship by Jack. They moved many times for Jack’s job with the BNSF railroad, before finally settling in Knoxville, Illinois in 1983. She and Jack were parents to 4 children: David, Jacqueline, Douglas, and Michael.
Sharon spent several decades working at Knox Pet Clinic, caring for all manner of pets and their owners. Her love for animals also extended to home, where Jack and Sharon were known for a full household of cats, dogs, and foster kittens cared for through Sharon’s involvement with Guardian Angels.
She was an avid crafter, creating beautiful quilts, and other skilled creations. Sharon volunteered for many years with Quilts of Valor, creating and delivering beautiful quilts to veterans and wounded members of the U.S. military.
Sharon was a member of First United Presbyterian Church of Knoxville, happily serving meals at the annual Stone Soup luncheon, volunteering at the resale shop, and attending every Sunday morning bible study.
Her loved ones will treasure the memory of her final years spent caring for the herd of outdoor feral cats, her firecracker spirit, and her love of puzzles.
She is preceded in death by sisters: Renay, Janet and Juanita; parents: Jesse and Dorothy; husband Jack; and son Douglas.
She is survived by siblings: Pat and Jesse; children: Michael (Pat), David (Laurel), and Jacqueline (Steve); grandchildren: Nathan (Charlotte), Erin, Haley, Kurt (Amanda), Quinn, Janelle (Chris), Toni (Mike); and great grandchildren: Kelsey, Cody, and Kayleigh.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Knoxville Cemetery. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory, Knoxville are assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please offer memorials to Knox County Humane Society (Illinois), Cat N Around Rescue, First United Presbyterian Church of Knoxville, and/or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online expressions of sympathy may be left to the family at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com
