Sharon Lyda, age 72, passed away on January 22, 2026.

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend, Sharon Lyda, entered into rest on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at the University Hospital in Columbia, MO at the age of 72.

Born Sharon Kay Lyda on September 21, 1953 in Hendersonville, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Lawrence Lyda and Virginia “Jenny” Waugh. 

Sharon was a gifted artist and operated her own specialty and gift shop selling her painted goods.  She loved painting and attending craft shows.  She collected carousel horses, admiring the detail and enchantment of each horse.  She also enjoyed going to the horse races in Hot Springs and returning home to her precious dogs.

Sharon had most recently lived in Branson where she was surrounded by friends and was an active member of the Eastern Star.

She will be deeply missed by her family: daughter, Shannon Hester and husband Jeff of Muscle Shoals, AL; grandchildren, Dani Price and husband Steve of Lebanon and Michael Plaster of Lebanon; brothers, Steve Lyda and wife Connie of Hendersonville, NC and Randall Lyda of Houston, MO; cousins, Angie Lyda-Craft, Pam Daniels and husband Paul, Paula Fourt, Peggy Starnes and husband Bill and Patsy Fourt; as well as extended family, Stephen and Amy, many dogs, grand dogs, and many friends.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence Lyda and Jenny Waugh, and her infant brother, Gary Lyda.

A celebration of  Sharon’s life will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon at 11:00 am. Interment will be in Lebanon Cemetery.

Cremation arrangements were in the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.