Sharron Lee Russell Rhodes

Sharron Lee Russell Rhodes 1931-2023

On July 7, 1931, in Billings, Montana, Sharron Lee Russell was born into the height of the Great Depression. Life was hard for their family, but they got by.

During World War II, her family moved to Renton, WA to participate in the war effort. Her father joined the Navy and her mother took a job at Boeing making pistons for B-29s.

After the war, the family returned to Montana, where Sharron entered high school in Hardin, MT. She was active in 4-H, band, choir, and student council. She graduated in 1949, and went on to college at Concordia in Moorhead, MN.

In 1953 Sharron married Robert O. Weatherson. They had four children: Gayle Michelle, Marla Jill, Miles Richmond, and Melissa Jo. They lived in Montana; first in Billings, then Glendive, and north to Conrad and finally Shelby.

Sharron earned her Bachelor’s Degree in 1968, and, after student teaching in science, she accepted the position of Toole County Superintendent of Schools.

After divorcing Robert, Sharron moved to Spokane, where she earned her master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Whitworth College.

She married Harry W. Rhodes in 1979 and they settled in Bridgeport, WA, where Harry was superintendent of schools and Sharron taught elementary school. She taught in Bickleton, WA, and then Pe Ell, WA, near Chehalis, where she finished her career.

A lifelong educator, she taught her children and her many students to be lifelong learners with a passion for knowledge. She introduced computers to her school and taught her students to use them. She was passionate about the sciences, especially geology. She loved learning about the history of the earth and the forces of erosion and upheaval that created the staggering landscape of the American Southwest.
After retiring, Sharron and Harry became snowbirds and spent their winters in Lake Havasu City, AZ, where they had a rich life full of friendship and community, returning to their farmhouse home in Chehalis, WA the rest of the year.

Missing Christmas with her family, Sharron devised an annual celebration she called Christmas in July where they would all gather, exchange gifts, reminisce, and laugh. These gatherings brought Sharron great joy and created many deeply cherished memories for the whole family.

Sharron loved sports and was a devoted fan of the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks from their very first seasons as teams.

She was a passionate gardener who loved nurturing all kind of plants from her flowers to her vegetable garden. She particularly loved growing tomatoes and Walla Walla Sweet onions which she used to make her world famous salsa which she canned by the gallon to share with her family throughout the year.

Her beloved husband, Harry, passed away in 2010. Sharron moved from Chehalis to Port Orchard, WA to be nearer her son Miles and youngest daughter Melissa.

Sharron passed away due to complications from Covid-19, on September 13, 2023, at the age of 92.

Sharron was a woman who worked hard, loved harder, and had a passion for life. She shared her love of learning with her family and students throughout her life, leaving behind a legacy of enrichment and curiosity. Her flame burned bright throughout her life and still burns on in the memories of her family.

Sharron was preceded in death by her husband Harry Rhodes and daughter Mitzi Richards. She is survived by four children: Gayle M. Weatherson, Marla J. Weatherson, Miles R. Weatherson, Melissa J. Meader; four step-children: Nicki Sorensen, Vicki Sharer, Micki Morey, and Rick Rhodes, many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family has opted for a small ceremony of remembrance for the summer of 2024.