Sharon Kay Irwin

Sharon Kay Irwin, 84, of Rolla, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, surrounded by the ones who loved her most.
Sharon was born on August 20, 1941, in Ava, Missouri, to Lyle and Arlee Pettit. She loved her parents dearly and often spoke of them with great affection, always referring to them as "Mother" and "Daddy." Sharon fondly shared stories about going to the fair with Daddy and bringing home ducks and chicks. This was an experience that sparked her lifelong love of animals. She adored all animals, but dogs held a special place in her heart. For about fifteen years, Sharon bred and showed dogs, earning many championships with her Labrador Retrievers, Bearded Collies, and Tibetan Terriers. Even after her show days ended, she remained passionate about dogs and often talked about wanting to have just one more litter of puppies, even in her later years.
Sharon graduated from Ava High School in 1960, where she enjoyed spending time with her best friends, Becky Norman and Mary Louise Tourville. She was a cheerleader and played the bass drum in the school band. After high school, Sharon married the love of her life, Charley W. Irwin in 1961. The two settled in Rolla, Missouri, in 1962, where they both worked at UMR. For over thirty years Sharon worked in the Dean's Office, a position she truly loved and took great pride in, as it made her feel she was contributing to meaningful work.
Sharon had a passion for helping others and a true servant's heart. She was baptised at a young age with her father at Cow Skin Creek. Her faith started at General Baptist Church in Ava Missouri and remained throughout her whole life. She was a proud member of First Baptist Church in Rolla, Missouri, where she cherished attending Sunday services with her family, always followed by their traditional Sunday lunch together. Sharon served faithfully through her involvement at First Baptist Church, assisting with the children's ministry, Vacation Bible School, Kids Keeping Christ First, and the church's funeral dinner committee.
She also found great joy in visiting what she affectionately called the "forgotten people" and her dear friends in nursing homes throughout Rolla. Sharon loved bringing them devotionals and sweet treats, her personal favorite. She often took her granddaughters, Macy and Sophie, along to help and share in the joy of giving.
Sharon was known for her sassy and spunky personality, and she kept her wonderful sense of humor until her very last day. What she enjoyed most in life was her family, who meant everything to her. There was no one she would rather spend time with. She shared a special bond with her older sister, Barb Holman, whom she loved dearly. Any chance she had to see or talk with Barb, she took it. The two loved attending church functions, dining out, and especially celebrating holidays together with their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Sharon often spoke of Barb with great admiration and affection.
She also loved shopping and dining out with her daughter, Jill, and attending her granddaughters' school events. But most of all, she cherished when they would give in to her playful request, "Won't you come stay all night with me?"
Sharon will be greatly missed by her loving family, which includes her two daughters, Jill Moreland of Rolla and Angela Curry of Kansas City; two sons-in-law, Keith Moreland and David Curry; and six granddaughters, Macy Doyle and her husband, Noah Doyle, Sophie Moreland, Charly Kate Curry, Henley Curry, Jersey Curry, and Vivi Curry. She is also survived by her sister, Barb Holman, and her husband, James Holman; her niece, Beth Carlile, and her husband, Kevin Carlile; her nephew, Greg Holman; as well as many other close family members and dear friends.
Sharon was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles W. Irwin; her beloved parents, Arlee and Lyle Pettit.
A funeral service for Sharon K. Irwin will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Rolla. Interment will follow in the Ozark Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, October 24 at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to First Baptist Church or Phelps Health Hospice.