Sharon Arlene (Valora) Meckley
Marriages
Bob Meckley - October 4, 1964
Burial Details
Obituaries
Steamboat Today - September 13, 2009
Sharon Arlene Meckley was born Jan. 5, 1948, in Laramie, Wyo., to Arthur and Joyce (Hinthorn) Valora. She has an older brother, Gary; a younger brother, Lyle; and a younger sister, Cindy. Sharon attended school in Laramie until the fourth grade. She spent a lot of her childhood days playing with her best friend and cousin, Bonnie Johnson. Later, the family moved to Rangely for one year and moved to Craig, where they lived on Breeze Basin Road.
Mom often talked about her time spent as a kid on Knez Divide, riding horses, playing on the sandrocks and sneaking out of the house to meet up with a friend. They moved to Hayden when Sharon was a freshman in high school. While working at the Broken Drum Restaurant, she met the love of her life, Bob Meckley. Bob proposed to Sharon in front of everyone at the restaurant.
They were married Oct. 4, 1964, in Hayden. They spent their honeymoon in Grand Junction with $25. They bought a broom, dustpan, mirror, motel room and breakfast.
They had two children, Allen and Tammy. Her kids meant everything in the world to her. Bob and Sharon moved to Steamboat Springs until Bob got laid off, then moved back to Craig. Work was slow there as well, so they moved to Leadville, where Bob went to work at the Climax Mine for a period of time. Bob and Sharon moved to Craig, where Bob went to work in Steamboat as a carpenter and then later got a job at Empire Mine and Twentymile Coal. Sharon generally worked at restaurants to help supplement the income. She worked at Brown's Cafe, The Golden Caavy and Village Inn for many years.
In 1989 they bought Tunies & Such Nursery and Landscaping business. Sharon was the backbone to the business. She loved flowers and planting beautiful flower planters for customers. She made many good friends while being down at Tunies at all hours of the day and night. During the last couple of years, Sharon had the pleasure of working at Tunies with one of her best friends, Shirley Bailey. Sharon knew no strangers. She was the most kindhearted and giving person. She helped anyone and everyone in need no matter who they were. The word "no" did not exist to Sharon. She also loved her dogs, cats and horses.
Sharon's most precious possessions were not things, but her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were the joy and reason for her life. Most people have hobbies. Sharon had her grandkids Ashley, Nick, Andi and Madison; and great-grandchildren Teilah and Lexi. Grandma had nicknames for all the grandkids, Asher Dasher, Nicko Pickle, Andi Dandy and Matty Moo. The great-grandkids were T-Bear and Lexi Love.
Mom always said the most valuable thing you can give your children is time; all the children knew they could always go to Gramma and tell on Grampa. Mom simply would say "Bob" and dad would know he was in trouble.
Dad often told Mom, "Careful, Sharon, you're going to bump your wings," suggesting that she was an angel.
Mom never stopped worrying about any of us no matter how far away or how near. She always called to check on all of us (her voice will be missed). Any occasion was a reason for dinners at Grandma's house. We will miss fried chicken dinners at Grammas, the family gatherings that kept us all together, Gramma standing at the gate doing the full body wave and barely being able to see over the fence, and her loving notes saying "hello," "I love you" or "thank you." Most of all, she will be missed at Christmas, with her full tree of presents and no room to walk. She will be loved forever and kept dear to our hearts and in our memories. May we never forget Gramma's loving ways.
Sharon died Sept. 8, 2009, at her home after almost a yearlong battle with cancer.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Joyce Valora, and her beloved daughter T.J. (Hahn).
She is survived by her husband, Bob Meckley; son, Allen (Vickie) Meckley; grandchildren Ashley (Ray) Guerrero, Nick Sinko, Andi and Madison Meckley; great-grandchildren Teilah and Lexi Guerrero; her brothers Gary (Mary) Valora and Lyle (Gayle) Valora; sister Cindy (Alan) Foster; former daughter-in-law Charlotte (Justin) Neal, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A funeral was held at 1 p.m. Friday, at the LDS Church with Bishop Joe Ence conducting. Lori Romney sang "Amazing Grace" and "The Old Rugged Cross," and was accompanied by Myrna Ence. Interment followed in the Craig Cemetery. Pallbearers were Ray Guerrero, Nick Sinko, Oscar Valdez, Gary Valora, Lyle Valora and Mark Foster. Honorary pallbearers were Steven Foster, Justin Neal, Alan Foster, Joe Valora, Jimmy Valora and Luke Valora.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Grant Mortuary.
