Sharon Kay (Cotton) Derr of Kansas City, Missouri passed away March 17, 2023 at the age of 80.
Sharon was born April 26, 1942 to George ‘Russ’ and Helen (Kee) Cotton of Oregon, Missouri. Sharon graduated from Oregon High School in 1960. She married her school sweetheart, Jerry Derr, on November 12, 1961. Jerry and Sharon had two children: Melanie (John) Stuckenschneider of GA and Jason (Janene) Derr of MO. Sharon had four grandchildren, Jordan (GA), Alyssa (MO), Austin (MO), and Katie (GA).
Before marrying Jerry, Sharon worked at a doctors office in St. Joseph, Missouri. Jerry and Sharon moved for job opportunities in Independence, Missouri, Newton, Kansas, and then back to Kansas City in 1973. After a time of being a mother and housewife, Sharon spent most of her working career at retail stores, including Venture and Montgomery Ward, then had a small clientele where she and Jerry cleaned houses for a few years. Sharon‘s last job was with the North Kansas City School District in food service where she retired after five years.
Sharon loved old TV shows, games, word search puzzles and visiting with family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. She enjoyed events and gatherings with her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. She had the gift of gab on the phone and appreciated sharing her stories and tales with all that would listen. She liked reading about history and discussing historical events. She kept up with the Kansas City Chiefs, the KC Royals, Dancing with the Stars, and the British Royalty events.
Sharon was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Derr, her parents Russ and Helen Cotton, and her brother Larry Cotton.
She also felt heartache over the years, with the loss of her mother-in-law, Wilma Derr, and father-in-law, Henry Derr; close brother-in-laws Max Field, Robert Derr, and LeRoyce Derr; close sister-in-laws, Betty Field, Madeline Derr, and Donna Cotton; and many other beloved members within her extended Cotton, Kee, and Derr family.
Survivors include her immediate family along with many cousins, extended cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and sister-in-laws Helen Derr and Marlys Field.
The family would like to thank the friends and family that would help check in on Sharon since losing Jerry, her husband of 43 years, in 2005. Sharon was able to remain in the home they shared together until her passing. It meant a lot to us knowing that she could have simple phone conversations, send and receive cards or letters in the mail, because she would find such joy in that each day.
Funeral services: Thursday, March 23, 2023, 11:30 am, Oregon Christian Church. Visitation: Beginning at 10:00 am on Thursday, st the church. Interment: Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials: Maple Grove Cemetery, Oregon Christian Church, or the Holt County Museum.
