Sharon Raleigh Kennedy, of Cumberland, Kentucky, passed unexpectedly from this earthly life on May 11, 2026, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Sharon was a woman of deep faith and a devoted member of The First Christian Church. Her love for God, her family and her mountain heritage guided the way she lived her life each day.   Above all, she was a loving wife to David, a caring mother to Misty and Tracy and an adoring Nana to JJ, Allison and Laken.  Sharon was a strong symbol of faith in the household and was their spiritual guide through both joyful and trying times, teaching them about the Bible and God's love for us.

Although, she may have appeared as a quiet person, Sharon loved to laugh and had a tremendous sense of humor, often playing pranks on her family. You could always count on her for a giggle or a smile. She loved watching football and her favorite team would always be the Cumberland Redskins. She was a proud member of the Cumberland High School Class of '73.

Sharon found happiness in simple things- time spent with family and days at the lake just sitting on the porch. In her younger days, she loved to go camping and hiking and spent endless hours fishing on Norris Lake with her husband. She loved to read and on vacation, you could always find her under an umbrella with a good book. She loved writing, authoring several award-winning poems that beautifully captured the spirit of mountain life and the love she had for her family. She also loved watching and feeding the birds and caring for animals (especially cats), never turning away a hungry stray.  Over the years, many beloved pets found love and a home with her. More importantly, Sharon loved to care for extended family who would enjoy long stays at her home. She took them in as if they were her own, cooking special treats and being motherly, in a way only Sharon could.

She was a loving wife, mother, nana, homemaker and co-manager of the family businesses. David often said he couldn't get by without her and all the constant support she provided. Sharon really loved being involved with children.  She was the leader of Brownie Troop 669 while both of her daughters were in school. They spent much meaningful time together doing fun activities, going on outings and learning lessons about life.

For 56 years, she shared her life with her beloved husband, David, who completed her heart and stood beside her through every season of life. She often referred to him as her "Prince Charming", as they were high school sweethearts, dating since they were 15 and 16 years old. Together, they built a family that became her greatest joy. She deeply loved her daughters and grandchildren and was extremely proud of each of them.  Sharon will always be remembered for her kindness, compassion, strong faith, generous heart and unwavering dedication to her family. Her memory will live on in the lives she touched and in the family she loved so dearly.

Sharon was preceded in death by: her father, Henry "Marvis" Raleigh; mother, Vivian Fouts Raleigh; and brothers, David Raleigh, Leland Raleigh and Jonathan Raleigh.

Left to mourn her passing and cherish her memory are: husband, David Kennedy, of Cumberland, Kentucky; Daughters, Misty Kennedy, of Tazewell, Tennessee, Tracy Gullett (Blake) of Stanford, Kentucky; Grandchildren, J.J. Eldridge, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Allison Gullett and Laken Gullett, both of Stanford, Kentucky; siblings, Phillip Raleigh, (Monica) of Springfield, Missouri, and Sheliah Raleigh, of Cumberland, Kentucky.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Tri City Funeral Home from 5pm to 8pm and Sunday from 11 am until 1 pm. Her funeral service will be at 1 pm with the Reverends Roger Colinger and Dan Fitzpatrick officiating. Interment will follow at the Peaceful Acres Cemetery at Hiram, KY with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

Tri City Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Sharon Raleigh Kennedy.