Sharron M. Brake

So many beautiful memories of growing up in Eastwood. Sharon was always soft spoken to me and practical in her advice. I send her love and light in this next adventure. And I thank her for sharing a wonderful childhood with us. Blessings to her and to the Kaiser family.

Sharron was a loyal daughter, a loving sister and aunt, and a devoted wife. Her quiet, unassuming personality dovetailed nicely with her generous heart. One would never guess from first impressions that lying underneath that shy exterior was a fierce competitor and a goal oriented leader. Not one to rock the boat, she tried to promote peace and harmony within the family. You seldom heard her complain, and when help was needed, she was always willing to accommodate. As a child, like all of her siblings, she adored our mother and was ready to pull her weight when it came to doing chores. In her adult years, as mom became ill and less independent, Sharron was ready to step in and take her turn sitting with her whenever Barbara needed a helping hand. Even when her own health began to fail, she selflessly kept her personal needs private and continued to assist on mom’s behalf. When the time came to sell mama’s house, it was Sharron who helped empty it and disperse the no longer needed household items. As a sister, she was a wonderful playmate and role model. She would make doll clothes for my Barbies and create fashion shows with me. As her sewing skills improved, she not only made many of her own clothes, but she also made adorable play clothes for her first two nieces, Letitia and Mireille. As time progressed, she became quite the seamstress, and displayed great courage by creating her own wedding dress. In her tween and teen years, she was a competitive athlete. We would spend summers at the local recreation center developing both athletic and intellectual skills. Tournaments were held for the various sports offered. Never wanting to settle for being second best, she was a fierce competitor. That south paw of hers had her opponents ducking for cover at the table tennis competitions. Horse shoes and shuffle board provided additional venues for showcasing her keen eye/hand coordination skills. She was smart as a whip, so she was a natural for the chess matches. It was no surprise then, that around the summer of 1964, she performed so well throughout all the contests that she was awarded a trophy for being the highest point scoring girl across all the summer rec centers in the SAISD. Being an innate nurturer, her love of children was always on full display. When a newborn joined the clan, she was one of the first to welcome it with open arms.Early on when she and Doug shared a home with Pat and I as we began our business adventure, she was second mom to my girls, Sarah and Megan. She spent many a late night and early morning rocking those babies for me so I could catch a few winks on those difficult nights. Her reassuring cuddles and clucking seemed to soothe even the most distressed infant. She was a favorite aunt, showering her nieces and nephews and their children as well with welcoming gifts as each new member joined our family. At Christmas, there were delightful stockings stuffed with goodies for the kids and beautiful baskets or keepsake tins filled with homemade cookies and candy that she had spent days diligently preparing in her kitchen for the adults. Chocolate chip, macaroons, German sugar and wedding cookies interspersed with rum balls, fudge, and pralines made for an incredible feast of sweetness made with her special “TLC”. Her leadership skills began surfacing in high school. She found she had an interest in, and talent for, dance. Like her sisters Barbara and Sissy before her, she joined the dance team and rose through the ranks to become the colonel and head of the Cheroketts. I think it was her early experiences with success as a young teen at the rec center, then in high school, that led to her success at USAA. Her continuous education throughout her career, combined with that innate desire to achieve and succeed, led to her rise through the ranks over her 33 years there . When she found Douglas, the love of her life, they were a match made in heaven. Both smart, ambitious, gentle, caring souls. They “fit” each other quite well and worked together as a team throughout their 47 years of marriage. She sought to please and protect him as he did her. Purchasing their first home and painstakingly remodeling it together was the first signal that teamwork was alive and well in their union. The support and encouragement she gave him, helped him to find the courage to begin a transmission business with his brother in-law, my husband, Pat. As they moved into what would become their dream home, she decorated and filled that dwelling with mementos from their adventures and lifelong experiences. The beautiful property and wildlife that inhabited their estate was a source of pleasure for her. Sitting on her front porch with Doug at her side, watching the deer wander through their yard, bringing new life with them each spring, was a tranquil antidote to her daily challenges at work. Later, after retirement, she and Douglas discovered the fun and excitement of purchasing and selling antique toys. Their many trips to Canton were a source of enjoyment and helped hone Sharron’s skills at identifying, purchasing, and marketing the various toy lines they had studied. According to Doug, she became quite the aficionado and would often take great joy in discovering the latest “deal” to add to their inventory. Again, that desire to excel and achieve spilled over even into her hobbies and was a common thread throughout her life. Modest and unassuming, she definitely was; but never underestimate the indelible mark that this beautiful, courageous woman left on all of our lives. Ask her husband and any of her siblings, nieces and nephews how large the hole is that has been left in our hearts by her premature demise. She was a champion of a woman and a significant contributor to our family’s history. She will be dearly missed!

Remembering you, Aunt Sharon, with so much love. Until we meet again, we will miss you and hold those memories close in our hearts.

Sharron had such a kind, loving spirit and would do absolutely anything for anyone. I remember family events where she was going to be “a” dessert. Sharron would show up with 5 delicious homemade dessert cookies and pies! She was such an overachiever and wonderful wife to Douglas. I remember Douglas and Sharron meeting each other while they were working at a grocery store. I think it was Foodway Grocery Store. I still remember their rehearsal dinner, and wedding, and how beautiful Sharron looked on their wedding day. There are many wonderful memories we each carry with us about Sharron. I will miss her.

What a beautiful tribute. I didn’t know her well in high school, but she was a special person then who became even more special over her life. Sincere condolences to all her family and friends.

Aunt Sharron: Your beauty, your humility, your quiet conviction, and your selfless love—I will love and remember you, always. You are loved, you are missed, and you have left a space in this world for a Kaiser-linage of girls and women to chase after and fill. I thank God for His love and His promise that we will meet again. With love, Mychal Lindley Hedges