Sharon Boswell Wimberly

Sharon Boswell was born on October 5, 1943, in Lakeland, FL, the daughter of George Ross Boswell and Cleo Anna Tiller Boswell. She was the youngest of two girls. Her sister, Margaret Lee Boswell Bauknecht was 10 years older. Little Sharon considered herself a tomboy who loved to be outside, climb trees, ride her bike around the neighbor and pick vegetables out of her dad’s garden. She always had a white-blonde ponytail and a contagious smile.

Sharon graduated from Lakeland High School where she was a Dreadnaught cheerleader, calendar couple and on the homecoming court. She would often tell the story of when she saw Elvis Presley at the Polk Theater but would also let you know she was not impressed.

After high school she attended Florida College in Temple Terrace, FL. There was a young man at FC who also grew up in Lakeland, who had a car and would give her rides home on the weekends. Even though the two of them had known each other for years, it was not until the Labor Day before Sharon’s freshman year at FC that the two went water skiing on Lake Hollingsworth…and the rest is their love story.

Two years later in 1963, Sharon married the love of her life, John “Jack” Owens Wimberly.

Jack accepted a job in Tampa three years after their marriage and they bought their first house. It was a three-bedroom, one bath house with a single carport that cost $13,250.00 and they thought it was wonderful! A year after the move, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, named Beth Ann. Two and a half years later, John Owens Wimberly, Jr. completed their family.

Jack and Sharon attended the Seminole church of Christ where Jack taught the young married couples’ class and became a deacon. The family moved to Temple Terrace so that the children could attend Florida College Academy. When Beth entered middle school, they moved their church membership to the North Boulevard church of Christ where there were friends with children closer to Beth’s and John’s ages. Jack soon became a favorite teacher for middle and high school students. Jack and Sharon planned cookouts, parties, and boating beach days for the teens along with lessons pertinent to the teen’s lives. Everyone loved Mr. and Mrs. Wimberly!

Sharon considered herself a stay-at-home mom even though she worked with the Rotary clubs of Tampa for more than 25 years and also the Dental Academy. A friend recently shared that she was a detailed person and extremely organized. She was always volunteering at her children’s schools. She served as homeroom mom and FCA’s cheerleading coach. Sharon would often be found spending her time in the concession stand on Saturday at Beth and John’s soccer games, running her personal mom taxi service and feeding pasta dinners to the football team. She loved the holidays and loved to celebrate and decorate for each one. Christmas was her favorite, and Christmas morning was always perfect, and all could feel the magic of the day. She loved her family!

Sharon was a southern lady and loved the traditions and grace of the south. She enjoyed having company for dinner and was an excellent cook. She also cooked and delivered many meals to those sick and in need of some TLC. Her door was always open, and many sick Florida College students came and stayed at her home to get nursed back to health. She was a wonderful example of servanthood.

As the children grew, graduated college, and married their love’s, the small family of four grew to six with Beth’s marriage to Nathan and John’s marriage to Beth #2. Grandchildren were soon added to the family. First Laurel, then Nate, followed by Reagan, Reese, and Tripp.

On December 8, 1994, Jack and Sharon moved to Valrico. In 2003 Jack was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and extensive surgery, radiation, and chemo soon followed. Sharon never left his side. With a low survival rate, the family enjoyed every day and had a celebration with each March anniversary. On his first anniversary, the children and grandchildren presented him with an anniversary clock and name plate that read, “We Are Thankful for the Gift of Time.” That became the family’s motto as they celebrated each passing year. 14 years of memories and special family time were enjoyed. They had always been a very close family but quickly learned to cherish each moment. Every summer, Sharon’s family spent a week at the beach, all together in one house, full of fishing, boating and long walks picking up shells. Each Thanksgiving the family spent the week in their cabins with fried turkeys, 4 wheelers, games, and bonfires on the Little Withlacoochee River.

On December 2, 2016, Sharon lost her beloved husband of 53 years. Seven years later, it was Sharon’s time to go Home. She was ready to meet the Lord and be reunited with her husband and the many that had gone on before her.

Sharon is survived by her daughter, Beth Hesseltine and husband, Nathan Hesseltine; her son, John Wimberly, Jr. and wife, Beth Wimberly. Five grandchildren: Laurel Wright (Ben) and Nathan “Nate” Hesseltine, Jr., Reagan, Reese, and John “Tripp” Wimberly, III.

We are sad to see you go, but we will see you again. We are rejoicing over the promise of life eternal with our God.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the

Florida College Scholarship Fund.

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