Sharon Faye (Barger) James

Sharon Faye James, 78, of Golconda, IL passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023, at the Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah.

Sharon was born on July 23, 1945, in Eddyville, IL to Freeman and Verda Barger. After the passing of her parents her and her six siblings were raised by Eula and Wayne Barger. She was a graduate of Pope County Highschool. She married the love of her life Richard “Dickie” James on August 3, 1963. Together, they had two daughters, Carol Charlene and Cheryl Ann.

Surviving is her daughter, Carol Charlene (Rodney Dale) Wood; grandson, Craig Alan Wood; soon to be granddaughter-in-law, Michelle Bilderback; two brothers, Stanley Lee Barger and Freeman Wayne “Sonny” Barger; two sisters-in-law, Phyllis K. Barger and Sandra Sue Sundmacker; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Freeman and Verda Barger and Wayne and Eula Barger; her husband, Richard James; her daughter, Cheryl Ann; one brother, Gerald Dee Barger; two sister-in-laws, Maurita J. Barger and Norma A. Barger; four sisters, Francis Jean (James) Jennings, Barbara, Ethel Maxine Erb, Lillie Marie (Fred) Carnes; one brother-in-law, Charles Sundmacker; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She grew up in her beloved community Eddyville, IL. She often talked about the “good old days” and all the fun she had growing up there. After she married, they moved to the community of Rosebud, IL where she made a happy comfortable home for her family.

She worked numerous jobs in her lifetime. In her younger years she was the church clerk at Antioch Baptist Church and was very active teaching Sunday School, Bible School, and Camp Counselor. She loved children and for several years she cared for Bill and Barbara Jones children while they worked. For a period of time, she owned her own home décor shop named The Gate Post in Golconda. She was employed at the general assistance office in Golconda and the Good Luck Glove Factory in Metropolis. She was also a housekeeper at two nursing homes in Metropolis and worked at two flower and gift shops in Golconda. While living in Florida she worked in the offices of Greenwood Estates Condominiums and Aztec Villa Apartments. She took art classes and was very talented at drawing and painting. She enjoyed planting large gardens and preserving the fruits of her labor.  She had many happy years with her family and especially enjoyed being grandma to her only grandson, Craig. She enjoyed watching him grow up. She loved her family, and her family adored her. In her late years, she enjoyed her many hobbies, reading, playing video games, working crossword puzzles, and watching her favorite show, Star Trek.

She loved animals and throughout her life had many pets. She leaves behind her treasured Pomeranian dog, Taz.

She always said I don’t put on “airs”, what you see is what you get! What we got was a wonderful sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, and friend and for that we are truly blessed and grateful. We will all miss the precious gem that God loaned to us for a while.

Memorial services will be at 2:00pm on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Antioch Baptist Church in Rosebud, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made to Project Hope Humane Society in Metropolis.

Online condolences may be left at www.lindseyfuneral.com

Lindsey Funeral Home in Paducah is in charge of arrangements.