Sharon RaNae Phillips

Sharon RaNae Dwight, born October 23, 1939, to Theodore Kermit Dwight and Lillie Loretta Wallin Dwight, returned to her Heavenly Father on June 12, 2024. She was born in Salt Lake City Utah, welcomed by loving parents and raised in a family of all girls. As a young child she lived in San Diego California after her father was transferred with the Navy. After returning to Murray, she spent many hours with her sisters and her cousins playing on her uncle's nearby farm. She also loved painting willows and selling them with her sisters. It was in the sixth-grade year of school that she met Merlin Edward Phillips at a potato chip party. This young courtship developed into a first proposal at age 14.

Turning down this proposal, Sharon politely informed Merlin they would need to wait as she needed to grow up first. Two short years later they were married on October 11, 1956, at the home of Merlin's parents. Later, along with their two young daughters they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on June 8, 1962. Sharon graduated from Murray High School in 1957. She attended Steven's Henager Business College taking secretarial classes and learned shorthand. Moving to Pocatello Idaho in April of 1973, Sharon took classes at Idaho State University and became employed at Syringa Elementary School first as the secretary then as the librarian. This position quickly became her "favorite job in the world". She continued her passion for reading throughout her entire life. While at Syringa she made many lifetime friends with staff and thousands of young students, many of whom saw her in the community and fondly remembered her as their librarian. This brought her great joy.

She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints holding many callings and developing long standing relationships with great friends. She served a 14-month mission to Charleston West Virginia with her eternal companion putting her acquired secretarial skills to work in the mission office. She spoke often of their mission, reminiscing about all aspects of their service.

Merlin and Sharon were blessed with four daughters and one son. She supported her family in many activities from dance to piano to sports to scouting and more. She enjoyed tying quilts, making crafts, Friday night pizza, gardening and attending the temple. She was knowledgeable about every kind of flower and tree and kept a perfectly manicured yard in every home she had. She and her eternal companion always enjoyed a car ride together and an afternoon ride for a hamburger. She continued this tradition and more after Merlin's passing and could often be found watching his favorite western movies at their home. Sharon was a tireless caregiver to Merlin and after 66 years of marriage and missing him terribly, they are together again forever. Known affectionately by her grandchildren & great grandchildren as Grandma Shennie her kind selfless example will always be remembered.

Survived by her large loving family that includes daughters Cheryl Buttars, Susie Barlow (Steve), Carolyn Howard (Wayne), Idaho Falls, Idaho, Lisa Allen (Brooke) and son Steve Philips (Lisa Hagler), 17 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her spouse, her parents, mother and father-in-law Edward Harrison & Velda Lott Phillips, grandson in law Travis Kunz and great granddaughter Karlee Sue Snarr.

We wish to give special thanks for the tender loving care provided by the staff of Heritage Hospice and Grace Assisted Living.

Funeral services will be held in Sharon's honor on Monday June 17, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pocatello Idaho North Stake Center 4890 Whitaker Road Chubbuck, Idaho. A viewing will be held on Sunday June 16, 2024, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Wilks Funeral Home 211 W. Chubbuck Road Chubbuck, Idaho as well as 10-10:45 am prior to Monday's services at the North Stake Center.

Memories and condolences may be shared the Phillips family by visiting the guestbook below.