Sharon Kay (née Lee) Weber, 79 years old, of Lemont, IL, passed away peacefully in her sleep early on July 26, 2023 after a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy. She was born to Leslie and Alice Lee of Chicago on October 2, 1943. Sharon, the 4th of 5 children, spent her early years living in a home on Laflin street in Chicago’s Englewood community. The family home was situated near Laflin Street Gospel Hall where the saints prayed regularly for the “Lee family next door.” Sharon and her siblings were invited to attend Vacation Bible School and later Sunday school. Through the ministry of this church, Sharon was introduced to her Lord and Savior whom she trusted for salvation and served throughout her life.

When Sharon was 8 years old, her family relocated to her father’s family home in Reynolds, Missouri. She and her siblings transitioned from city life to living on a farm and attending a two-room schoolhouse. Sharon loved her years in Missouri, spending countless hours outside, playing with her dolls (whom she loved and cared for meticulously), her siblings, and her friends.

The family returned to Chicago and Laflin Street in 1956. The transition back was challenging, but Sharon soon adjusted back to life in the city. She attended Harper High School where she enjoyed playing softball and being a member of the majorettes. She continued to demonstrate her baton twirling skills (much to her daughters’ delight) well into adulthood. After her graduation, she worked in the secretary pool at Continental Insurance for several years. During this time, she was an active member of Laflin Street Gospel Hall participating in the youth group, counseling at Circle Y Ranch Bible Camp, and serving as a Sunday school teacher. Through her work in these ministries, she discovered a love for teaching children. She enrolled in Chicago Teachers College (now Chicago State University) to pursue her passion.

Sharon met Wayne Weber through the Southside chapels’ “young people’s group” activities and counseling at Circle Y Ranch Bible Camp. They were married in a blizzard on December 21, 1968. As a young married couple, they served as active members and Sunday school teachers at Laflin Street Gospel Hall and enjoyed many trips to Sharon’s family home in Reynolds, Missouri with their nieces and nephews.

In 1972, Wayne and Sharon moved to Lemont, IL, where they lived until his death in 2022. During these years, they were blessed with two daughters, Rebecca Lee and Elizabeth Amy. As a family, they road-tripped through more than 30 states, visiting national parks and scenic overlooks. A highlight of each summer was their week at Conference Point Family Camp, where Wayne served as a board member and Sharon was a devoted prayer warrior and assistant in many activities.

Sharon began her teaching career teaching 3rd grade at Medinah Baptist School. Although she loved being a teacher, when she finally had children of her own, she decided to stay at home to be with them full time. During their childhood, Sharon didn’t miss an event. She enthusiastically attended field trips to the zoo, choir concerts, and volleyball games. When her daughters were older, Sharon returned to teaching full time at Joliet Christian School (soon renamed Trinity Christian School). She was dedicated to her students and to growing the school. She primarily served as a 2nd grade teacher, but when the need arose, she took on the challenging roles of assistant principal and principal. After years of service, Sharon resigned from these roles and entered retirement.

During her retirement, Sharon remained active for as long as she could and never lost her love for teaching. She stepped in to provide weekly tutoring to assist with her grand-nieces’ homeschool curriculum. When her grandson Ryder arrived, Sharon and Wayne were part of his “daycare” provider schedule, spending at least one day a week caring for him. Although her strength was lagging, she enjoyed talking with him and watching him play. The last several years were a struggle for Sharon as mobility and even leaving the house became more challenging. After losing her husband, Wayne, last October, Sharon moved into Oak Trace nursing facility where she savored visits with her family and friends.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie Franklin Lee and Alice Viola (née Anderson) Lee, her brothers and sisters-in-law, Eugene and Rosemary, Wayne and Jeanette, and Vernon, as well as her brother-in-law, Edwin Canton and her grandson, Philip Wayne Peszat. She is survived by her sister, Carole Canton and her sister-in-law Lorelei Lee and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She is also survived by her two daughters Rebecca Weber of Darien and Elizabeth (Phil) Peszat of Wauconda, and her grandson, Philip Ryder.

Services will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Oak Lawn Bible Chapel (4259 W. 107th St. Oak Lawn) at 3pm. Visitation will be from 1-3pm. A private burial service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in memory of Sharon K. Weber to the camp that she loved attending, Conference Point Center, 300 Conference Point Rd, Williams Bay, WI 53191. To donate:

• Go to www.lgyc.org/give

• Click on the “Give” button under Capital Campaign Giving.

• Under “Leave a comment” write, “A Memorial Gift to Conference Point in Sharon Weber’s memory.”