Sharon Viss passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 7. She was a committed Christian woman, wife, daughter, and stepmother who will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Sharon was born in Modesto and raised in Waterford. She graduated from Oakdale High School in 1961 and went on to graduate from Modesto Junior College and San Francisco State University. She returned to live in Waterford and began a teaching career in the Oakdale Joint Unified School District that spanned 38 years, mostly in first grade and briefly in sixth. She loved music and was a gifted pianist. In addition to using this talent with her students, she played the piano for the Southern Baptist Church and for Bible Study Fellowship for many years. She also played piano in a Christian bluegrass gospel group called “Of One Accord” for at least eight years. In her early 60s Sharon was married for the first time to Don Viss, a widower with eight adult children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sharon took on her new role in this family with love and generosity. She rose to the task of learning to cook, on occasion, in quantities unknown to her as a single woman! She gave piano lessons to several of the grandchildren. She was interested and involved in the lives of Don’s children who lived close by, and accompanied him on multiple trips, especially to his home in Montana.
In addition to her husband and family, Sharon is survived by her mother, Mildred Dennis, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom loved her dearly. A Celebration of Life will be held at Southern Baptist Church in Waterford on July 19 at 11 a.m. Remembrances may be made to the Southern Baptist Church.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
July 19, 2017