Sharon Heard

Sharon Heard was born December 2, 1961 in Chicago, Illinois. She went to be with her mother, Annie Lois Drayton, on May 22, 2020 in Grand Rapids Michigan at age 59.

Sharon accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Calvary Baptist Temple. She also attended Bray CME temple with her grandparents, Bennie and Sammie Drayton. She went to Burnside Elementary and graduated from Harlan High School where she met her best friend Tomesha Little Ferguson.

Sharon loved to have fun, tell jokes, cook, clean, dance, and listen to music. But nothing was more important than her family and friends. She was blessed with three children: Jamarish, Ciera, and Sheonita Heard. As a loving, caring, and protective mother she made sure her kids had whatever they needed and wanted. She kept a good spirit even in the toughest of times.

Sharon moved her family to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1993 knowing it would be a challenge (which she loved) in search of a safer and better life for her and her kids. A couple of years later she met her fiancé Willie C. Baker. Willie was a truck driver and Sharon loved to go on road trips with him. She took for care of him until he lost his battle with cancer in 2008. Sadly, that same day she suffered from a stroke that took much away from her but not her smile and her determination to keep fighting. She lost the ability to talk with those she loved and was limited with what she could do. But she found a way to communicate by writing and using face expressions to let you know exactly what she wanted and needed. She will truly be missed by many.

Preceding in her death are her grandparents Bennie and Sammie Drayton; mother, Annie Lois Drayton; her children’s father, Raphael A. Jeffries; fiancé, Willie C. Baker; and brother, Carl Heard. Leaving to mourn are her 3 children, JaMarish, Ciera, and Sheonita Heard; 11 grandchildren Jakeilon, Cazariyah, Ja’Lan, Jamyah, Jaleiah, JuAmani, Jashiah, Ishiah, Isiah, Sheneka, and Shyanna Heard; father James Edward Finley (Terry); 2 sisters, Betty Kirkwood and Jan D Heard; 4 brothers, Leonard, Darrel, Rodney and Kevin Heard; a very special niece and nephew, Tatiana and James Heard; 25 nieces and nephews; 20 great nieces and nephews, and a whole host of cousins and friends.

Acknowledgements: The family of Sharon Heard expresses their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the many acts of kindness extended during this time.