Sharon Elizabeth Sweat, 73, formerly of Radcliff, KY, gently passed away on August 9, 2024 at Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Hodgenville, KY.

Sharon, known affectionately as “Essie” to her family and respectfully as “Ms. Sweat” to her students, was born in Louisville, KY at St. Joseph’s Infirmary to U.S. military veterans William and Mary Rose (Montgomery) Sweat on September 9, 1950. She was raised in Lebanon Junction with her two siblings, Mary Catherine and Michael, each of whom she had a remarkable bond with that could not be broken by distance or circumstance.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Education degree from Western Kentucky University, which prepared her for a 27-year career in education. She taught at numerous schools in Hardin County, mainly the sixth grade, and retired from Flaherty Elementary School in Meade County in 2000. She was a devoted teacher who earned the admiration of her students, as she not only taught them the usual school subjects, but also important life lessons in regard to respect, manners, and principles and modeled these important values with her own actions. Throughout her career she developed lifelong friendships with many of her fellow educators and served as a highly regarded mentor to younger teachers.

She was a cherished member of St. Brigid Catholic Church in Vine Grove, KY.

She spent many years hosting and celebrating with family at her Vine Grove, KY home, most notably for decades on Christmas Eve where she would serve family favorite dishes that only she could make perfectly.  These gatherings always culminated in the evenings with wonderful memories of rousing card games and conversation around the dining room table. 

Her love and support of children is evident through her teaching career and with how she doted on her nieces and nephews in their youth, and then on her grandnieces and grandnephews in more recent years.

She will be remembered as a thoughtful listener, authentic and consistent in her no-nonsense and honest approach to the sought after counsel she delivered, a devoted and dedicated sister and aunt, and most importantly as an intelligent, humble, resilient, considerate and well-respected person.

Sharon is survived by her one brother, Michael (Nora) Sweat, her brother-in law, Richard O’Malley, and her nieces and nephews: Joseph Sweat, Chris O’Malley, Maureen O’Malley, Kelly (Noah Everitt) O’Malley and Casey (Tyler) Smith and her beloved nieces and nephews: Nolan Sweat and ShyAnne Crowley; Noa and James Templo; Tallulah and Leland Everitt; Wesley O’Malley; and Sully and Griffin Smith. She is also survived by many family members on the Sweat and Montgomery sides of the family as well as many dear friends and former students.

She is preceded in death by her only sister, Mary Catherine O’Malley, and by her parents Mary Rose and William Sweat.

A visitation will be held Friday, August 16, from 10:00 am – to 11:00 am, with the funeral mass at 11:00 am, at St. Brigid Catholic Church, 314 E Main Street, Vine Grove, KY 40175. Burial will follow at Lebanon Junction Cemetery, Rudd Ave, Lebanon Junction, KY 40150. Chism Funeral Home will be handling the funeral arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to St. Benedict Catholic Church, 227 W Oak Street, Lebanon Junction, KY  40150

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Sunrise Manor Nursing Home for their excellence in care, as well as for their patience and kindness.  Over the last several years, Sharon considered Sunrise Manor her home and the nurses and staff there a part of her family. Their care and kindness allowed her to pass peacefully and gently.

Sharon left her mark on this world with her quiet kindness, her loving devotion, and consistent care as a daughter, sister, teacher, aunt, great-aunt and friend.  Her family and friends find comfort that she is now with her beloved sister and parents and at peace.