April 5, 1944 – November 2, 2023

Sharon Elaine Young McBride, loving mother, wife, sister and grandparent, passed away and entered the Kingdom of Heaven at the age of 79 in Alvin, Texas on November 2, 2023, at her daughter’s house.  She lived 15 years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.  She is survived by daughter Shannon, son in law Wallace, son Robert, daughter in law Susan, daughter Teri, son in law Daniel, sister Cookie and nieces Joyce and Cindi, her brother John and niece Dawn, other nieces Megan, Kwinci, Kelci, Kara, grandchildren Michael, Alexandra, Tyler, Angelica, Shayne and great granddaughter, Harper.  She was preceded in death by her husband Larry, son Terry, her parents Mary and Merle, and her brothers Bob and Patrick.

She was born in the rural West Virginian Appalachian Mountains in her grandmother’s bed.  She made sure that everyone knew that last part.  Her father moved the family to California in the late 1950’s.

She was a generous, beautiful and fun-loving human being. She was never without full makeup, hair and painted nails.  She spent a few years in Las Vegas in the early 60’s, where it is rumored that she dated one of the sons who owned Binion’s Hotel and Casino.  She returned to California where she became manager at The Cottontail Club in Hollywood, where she taught her “girls” how to be a GoGo dancer.  She met her husband, Larry, when he was a salesman for Pabst beer.  He told her that he was a Marine, and she immediately called him an “a-hole”.  They were together from that moment.  He passed away in June of this year.  We think a part of her knew and decided after a few months, it was time for her to rest with him.

Sharon and Larry moved to Texas in 1972 to pursue a business opportunity and never left.  We knew she was full Texan when she was watching a NASCAR race when a driver’s tire caught fire.  She pointed and screamed in true Texas twang:  His “tars” are on “far”! 

Her final job was being a special needs school bus driver at Dickinson ISD for over 20+ years.  She loved those kids so much.  She learned sign language to be able to communicate with her deaf children and treated them with so much love and respect.  It pained her to retire and lose that part of her life in 2006.

She cared for everyone with graciousness and love.  Her home was always open to everyone.  She made friends everywhere she went and had such a light about her.  She forgave over and over and over, never carrying a grudge, showing everyone what sacrifice and forgiveness embodied.

When her Alzheimer’s was at its most advanced stage, she still could make you laugh.  She loved to dance and still had moves like it was still the 60’s.  She would still point her finger at you and tell you that “She was going to beat you up” with a big grin on her face.  She brought joy to her family in ways they couldn’t have imagined and are grateful for the time they were given to spend with her.

She will be truly missed by her family, but they take comfort in knowing that she is pain free, has her right mind, is safe, happy and back to her beauty pageant self in Heaven.  We know she is dancing and loving her family again.  Our world is a better place for having Sharon in it.

We thank her amazing caregivers, Selina and MaryAnn, for the love, care and support they provided for Sharon and the family throughout the years.