Sharon Vaughn was found dead in her home in Louisville, Kentucky on November 17th. Her neighbors, not having seen her for days, became concerned and called the police. It is believed that she died of natural causes, and that she had been dead for several days before the police entered her home she shared with her beloved miniature doberman pinscher named Claire. Sharon's 8 year old dog was adopted by someone at the veterinarian's office. Sharon was cremated later in November. I am watching the Martinsville Bulletin for her death announcement to see if there will be a memorial service for her here. 
 
Sharon enjoyed the encouragement she got from staying connected with friends from Martinsville, especially Bill Cochran (whom she affectionately called 'Roach') and Michael Wilson (she went to his wedding). Alecia Cahill, Betty Branch Draper, Teresa Goodnow Kendall, Jill Boyle (Jennifer Howell), Michael Wilson, Sr., Meg Henderson Wade, John Ran Smith, Linda Brammar Haynes, Kelley Chick Hellams, Cherly Alkire Alspaugh, Robin Donley Roberston, Bob Draper, Mark Rainey, Chevis Swearingenton, Robin Donley Robertson, Lyndale Spencer, Richard Critz, Jeannie Sutton Odachowski, Anne McLean Kendricks and many many other of us were connected with her on Facebook. 
 
I know she had lots of pain and discomfort, yet she seemed to keep a cheery disposition most of the time. The left side of her body was partially paraylized due to an head injury from back in 1989. Diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), her doctors prescribed her a variety of pain medications and antidepression medications. Sharon's health has been declining for many years and she often commented about her insomnia. 
 
Sharon was very smart, with a keen mind for numbers, and became a computer programer. She moved ot Kentucky in 2002 to work for Airlines Reporting Corporation, where she was employed until 2009.  Unemployed since September of 2013, she began living off savings in her 401K plan after her unemployment benefits ended in March of 2014. 
 
She ended up on Medicaid, and had applied for disability. Many of her symptoms were caused by her prescriptions medications, and she wanted to get them changed or quit taking them. She realized she needed to see a psychologist before a psychiatrist would write her scripts but she couldn't make appointments with her insurance. None of the local psychiatrists would accept Medicaid as payment anyway. I admired Sharon's resourcefulness...she did go to a clinic and sit and wait for someone to see her, even though she would have panic attacks. 
 
She seemed to reach a low point back in January of this year, and her cognitive abilities seemed to be failing her. She thought she was going crazy, and that she just couldn't do what she knew she should to take care of herself. She shared with me that she had weaned herself off all her prescriptions after she ran out of them. (I don't think this was done under a doctor's supervision, and that was a BIG mistake!) 
 
She contacted me to see if I had suggestions for holistic remedies that were more natural. We talked on the phone a few times, and I spent a lot of time prayerfully considering her symptoms. I came to realize that her state of mind might be attributed to abruptly discontinuing Cymbalta, and sent her a weblink describing those complications. I also sent her a care package of nutrients and foods to boost her health and spirits, and made recommendations for a local healthcare practitioner to support her well-being.  
 
Sharon did get back in touch with her medical professionals, who helped her get her handi-capped parking permit, and had her going to physical therapy. She was feeling better in June, and interviewed for a job. I don't think she gained employment, but her state of mind and her health seemed to be greatly improved.
 
Sharon often expressed love for life, and God. She loved her Prayer Warrior Friends, and reached out to and prayed for many of us. She continued enjoying going to the movies, concerts, and visiting family and friends through all this. 
 
She visited the doctor on October 29th, and was given a flu shot, an injection for Vitamin B12, and a prescription to help her sleep. Her last Facebook post was made on November 4th. 
 
I am including a photograph I took of her during our 30 year high school class reunion taken at the baseball field at Martinsville High School. She has her arm tossed over Robert Draper's shoulder (he likes to be called Bob now) and Renee Wells Graham. During that weekend, Sharon and I went riding around with Michael Wilson and another classmate just having a good old time. Happy memories. I will miss my friend. It gives me peace to imagine that she is one of the saints in heaven, in the care of Jesus, fully aware of the love that we shared all the years of our lives. May she rest in peace. 

Warmly,
Lynn Crowe Pritchett