Sharon F. Steponik

With love and remembrance, we honor the life of Sharon Frances Steponik, who was born on November 16, 1946, in Concord, North Carolina. Preceded by parents Alvie and Naomi Deloach and Grandson, Ricky McMillan Jr. Sharon passed away on February 17, 2026, in New Port Richey, FL at the age of 79.

Sharon was feisty, resilient, stubborn, caring, bold — and yes, she could be a little petty when the moment called for it. She had a way of turning nothing into something, whether it was stretching a meal, making ends meet, or creating joy out of the simplest day. Life didn’t always hand her easy roads, but she walked them with grit and determination.

She made holidays magical. Christmas lights glowed a little warmer, meals tasted a little better, and laughter rang louder because she was at the center of it. An amazing cook, she poured love into every dish, and no one ever left her table hungry. For 15 years, she served as a Subway manager, where her employees didn’t just work for her — they loved her. She led with strength, humor, and heart.

Sharon never met a stranger. Her home was open to anyone in need, and if you walked through her door, you were family. A devoted daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, she was truly the matriarch — the steady presence everyone leaned on.

She was a woman of faith, grounded in her religious beliefs and guided by them throughout her life.

She is survived by her five daughters: Robin Casada, Karrie (Dan) Faas, Laurie Iwaniec, Jessica Steponik, and Sharon (Doyle) Lowe-Bell; her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were her pride and joy; her one brother, Roger Deloach and four sisters, Theresa Bristol, Gwendolyn Maynor, Jean Rivera, and Juanita Butler.

She enjoyed the simple pleasures — a hot cup of black coffee, a jelly donut, a challenging crossword puzzle she would absolutely finish before anyone else, and a little good-natured gossip. She was strong-willed and outspoken, but underneath it all was a deeply caring heart that loved fiercely and protected her family without hesitation.

Her legacy lives on in the strength of her daughters, the laughter of her grandchildren, the traditions she created, and the stories that will be told for generations.

She was one of a kind — and she will be deeply missed.