Sharon Kay Walton left this world surrounded by family on June 27, 2023. Throughout her life, Sharon possessed the brightest light and kindest spirit.! Sharon was born in Boise, Idaho, on June 28, 1946, to Dale and Velma Beck. She never backed down from a challenge and loved to do the unexpected, like when she fell midair from a ski lift and subsequently ended her short-lived amateur ski career at age 57. She also rode bikes, zip lined, boogie boarded, rode roller coasters, and parasailed at the age of 70.! Her greatest accomplishment was graduating from nursing school later in life. She felt it was a privilege to work as a nurse and did so until 2018. She was adventurous, traveling with friends and family anywhere and everywhere, be it Hawaii or Walnut Ridge. The destination didn't matter; she was there for the journey.! Sharon's journey with cancer was no different. After being diagnosed in 2020, she fought bravely. Good day or bad, she always showed grace and dignity and kept her unwavering faith in God. More than the outcome, she concerned herself with the journey and being the best representative of Christ she could be, and she did just that.!

Sharon is survived by her husband of 35 years, Wayne Walton; her children, Ronette (Gary) Wise of Paragould, AR, John (Kim) Lepley of Des Moines, IA, and Shayla Blackford of Paragould, AR; her grandsons, Garrett (Haven) Wise, Grant Wise, Slater Blackford, Reece Blackford, and great-granddaughter Shiloh Kay Wise; brother Ival Beck of Indianola, IA; sister Carolyn McKee of Norwalk, IA; sisters in life, Jan Neer and Gledia Thomas; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and brothers: Eldon, Eugene, Harold, and Glenn Beck.

Family will receive friends Friday, June 30, 2023, from 6-8 PM at Philips's Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 1st, at 1:00 PM. Burial will immediately follow services at Linwood Cemetery. Pallbearers are John Lepley, Gary Wise, Garrett Wise, Grant Wise, Dan Beck, and Craig McKee. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Harvest Baptist Church or the American Red Cross.!!The family would like to thank Dr. Allen Nixon and Dr. Stacey Noel for the compassionate care provided on this journey.