Sharon Louise Mitchell

Mitchell, Sharon Louise
1956 - 2021
Sharon Louise Mitchell, 64, Florida teacher and poet, wife and mother, died of cancer at her home in Sarasota attended by her family April 23, 2021. Her former students at Sarasota Military Academy will recognize the 23d as the day of Shakespeare's birth and death. Sharon had battled cancer for years. It went into remission but returned last year.
She was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. An architect and builder, her father Sanford and her mother Mary Lou raised their family in Des Moines, IA. In 1991 She graduated from New College in Sarasota, where she co-edited New CollAge Magazine and published a chapbook of her own poems titled Shavings. Her career as a writer was lifelong. She taught for 18 years, mostly at Sarasota Military Academy.
Sharon lived to see her children Mitchell & Sam grow into adulthood, and liked what she saw. She and her husband, Frederick Farmer, were education activists striving to create a strong neighborhood community. In 2001 Sharon ran for the Sarasota School Board and raised issues to enhance local schools. She possessed an enduring sense of optimism, and dealt with whatever was thrown in her path.
Sharon's creativity, sensitivity, and generosity of spirit will be remembered by family, friends, and former students. Survivors include her mother, Mary Lou Overton of Des Moines, IA; her husband, Frederick Farmer of Sarasota, FL; and two sons, Mitchell Farmer of Tampa and Samuel Farmer of Chicago; her siblings, Charlie Mitchell of Travelers Rest, SC, and sisters Denise Hough of Des Moines, IA, Debbie Panella of Mequon, WI, and Carla Stuber of Des Moines, IA.
A Quaker Meeting will be held 1 PM Friday April 30 in the chapel of Heartwood Preserve in Trinity, FL, followed by a natural burial. More information is at www.heartwoodpreserve.com. Everyone is welcome
At 6 PM Saturday May 15, 2021 Sharon's Celebration of Life will be held at Sarasota Military Academy. Attendees are welcome to share their stories, music, and poetry – think Beatnik Poetry Cafe. Another Celebration of Life will be held in Des Moines on Saturday June 5, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Sarasota Military Academy Foundation, 801 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Condolences may be made at www.toalebrothers.com.