Sharon Collins Dowdy, 77, of Paisley, Florida, went home to her special place in Heaven to be with Jesus on Tuesday morning, April 2, 2019.

She was born in Blowing Rock, NC on August 10, 1941, the daughter of the late William Staple Collins, Sr. and Edna Moody Collins.

Sharon was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.  Her family was everything to her, and she was our "Chone".

Her smile lit up the room.  She never knew a stranger and made everyone feel special and loved.  She loved Jesus and tried to live her life to honor him.  She gave forgiveness abundantly and was sure to remind you to, "say your prayers".

She was a certified pharmacy technician, working in hospitals in Blowing Rock, NC and the Orlando Florida area.

Sharon is survived by her husband of 30 years and best friend, Bill Olen Dowdy, Jr., daughters Judy Hamlett, Betsy Stamey and husband, Chris, Keni Neverton and husband, Chris, Raquel Kania and husband, Larry, and Ericka Smith and husband, Bobby; grandchildren Melissa Townsend and husband, Charlie, Jennifer Norris and husband, Chris, Lindsey Hamlett, Caitlynn Van Arnum and husband, Cory, Kendall Stamey, Sarah Neverton, Jake Neverton, Alex Neverton and wife, Jayme, Shelby Kania, Tyler Kania, Jada Smith, Austin Smith, Madison Dion, and great grandsons Lane, Eli & Nathan Townsend. She is also survived by her nephew, William Staple (Chip) Collins III, a special aunt and cousin, Jewell and Larry Moody, her brother-in-law and his family, Bill, Keri, Lauren & Julia Dowdy, and many more family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Melissa Ann Dion, her brother William Staple (Bill) Collins Jr., nephew Charles Douglas Collins, her Aunt Sally Collins and Uncle Max Moody; also by her maternal grandparents, Maude and Benjamin Moody, and paternal grandparents Lee Ella Coffey and William Washington Collins.

Sharon will be cremated with a private family memorial at a later date.

To honor her love of cats, especially her beloved Max, Savannah, Lucy & Mimi, the family asks that In lieu of flowers, donations be made to

Cat Protection Society, Inc.

2700 Getford Road

Eustis, FL 32726