Sharon Martin Farris Obituary

Sharon Anne (Jones) Martin Farris, age 81
February 2, 1944 – June 28, 2025
Sharon Anne (Jones) Martin Farris (Mrs. Carney), age 81, of Dieterich, Illinois, and a former resident of Salem, Illinois, and Vienna, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 3:05 PM- Saturday June 28, 2025, at her home surrounded by her children.
A service celebrating Sharon's life will be held at 11:00 AM – Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the First Baptist Church, 400 West Washington Street, Newton, Illinois, with Pastor Anthony Harris officiating. The burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM – Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the church. In loving memory of Sharon, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Sharon was born on February 2, 1944, in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of Virgil M. and Ruth (Martin) Jones. She was raised with her two sisters Nancy and Carolyn in rural Wheeler, Illinois, on a grain and turkey farm. She graduated from Newton Community High School in 1962, then went on to earn her bachelor's and master's degrees in education at Eastern Illinois University.
In 1962, Sharon married James E. Martin, her high school sweetheart. Together Jim and Sharon had two children: Chad and Suzi. Sharon and Jim were married until the untimely death of Jim on August 30, 1968. She later married Mark Carney in 1979, and together they had a son, Joshua D. Carney.
In 1975, Sharon and family moved to Salem, Illinois, where she taught middle school math at Franklin Park until retirement in 2002. After retirement, she married Joe Farris of Vienna, Illinois, and he preceded her in death on August 27, 2015.
Sharon lived a life of faith, devoted to Christ. For many years, she played the organ and piano at church. Most recently, she was a member at the First Baptist Church of Newton, IL where she enjoyed attending Sunday School and Bible Study. She loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren- attending all their extracurricular activities. Sharon was an avid Cardinals fan and loved to bowl. She volunteered preparing taxes, served as treasurer at a Christian thrift store, and served as City Clerk of Newton.
Remaining to cherish Sharon's memory are her children Chad A. (Julie) Martin of rural Wheeler, Illinois; Suzi (Ron) Cook of Lincolnton, North Carolina; and Joshua D. (Sara) Carney of Rochelle, Illinois; Step Children Russ (Kirsten) Farris, Sara Farris, and Todd (Sarah) Farris, Step Daughter-in-law Dawn Farris; Grandchildren Jaime (Jesse) Newkirk, Megan Martin (Justin Tabrizi), Sean (Jamie) Martin, Shannon (Joel) Mann-Alvarenga, Chris (Eva) Rykrsmith, Hunter Carney, Tanner Farris, Luke Farris, Sydney Farris, Kendall Farris, Cora Farris and Grace Farris; great-grandchildren Cameron Newkirk, Mason Newkirk, Mia Martin, Leo Martin, Isabella Mann, Joseph Alvarenga, Lukas Alvarenga, Kaleb Alvarenga, Selah Alvarenga, Roman Rykrsmith, Gwen Rykrsmith and one on the way. Brothers-in-law Jim Stroud and Tom (Bobette) Martin and Sister-in-law Judy (John) Menke.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, husbands James Martin and Joe Farris, stepson Matt Farris, grandchildren Jason Mann, Joey Alfonso, sisters Nancy Stroud and Carolyn (Gerald) Dobbins.
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