Sharon Hufnagel Drury, 85, of Henderson, Kentucky, completed her earthly journey on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Newburgh Healthcare in Evansville, Indiana, having fought a swift and fierce battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Sharon was born on February 20, 1939, in Henderson, Kentucky, the only child of Lorene (nee Wallace) and William Herbert Hufnagel.  As with most births in those days, she was born at home, at the home of her maternal grandparents.  As a child, she attended the German Evangelical Church located at First and Ingram Streets, where services were conducted in German.  Later, she and her parents moved their church membership to First United Methodist Church in Henderson, where she met many of her lifelong friends.  She gave her life to Christ at age 17 at a Billy Graham Crusade in Louisville, Kentucky.  She recalled not feeling her feet carrying her down the steps during the altar call.  In 2008, Sharon, along with her daughter and granddaughter, joined Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church where her husband was a lifelong member.

Sharon was a member of the Henderson City High School Class of 1957 and a graduate of Lockyear's Business College, where she claimed taking shorthand classes ruined her penmanship.  Upon graduation from Lockyear's, she entered the workforce, beginning her career in the law offices of Stuart Mahurin.

On January 27, 1962, Sharon married James Louis Drury in a private ceremony at the rectory of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.  She and Jim welcomed a daughter, Hope Lynne, in 1967.

After a few years working within a private law practice, Sharon joined the office of Henderson County Circuit Court, under the mentorship of Clerk George Raber.  When the state of Kentucky established the Henderson County District Court in 1978, Sharon was tapped to be the Chief Deputy, managing the District Court offices.  In 2002, Sharon oversaw the relocation of Circuit and District Court offices and files to the newly-built Henderson County Judicial Center.  She retired in 2004, having served 43 years in the Kentucky judicial system.

Upon her retirement, Sharon was not one to sit idle.  She volunteered for many years as a "Pink Lady" at the former Community Methodist Hospital, including serving a term as president of the Volunteer Guild.  She also spent a great deal of time visiting friends locally and having lunch at the Sidewalk Café nearly every day. She and Jim also used their retirement years to do a fair amount of traveling, visiting Hawaii, Alaska, and the Panama Canal, among others.

Sharon leaves behind her husband of 62 years, James; her daughter and son-in-law, Hope and Richard Church; her granddaughter and future grandson-in-law, Olivia Church and Xavier Lee; and her adored and spoiled cat, Mittens. She also leaves behind cherished lifelong friends Anne Sheffer, Betsy Chapman, Joyce Herrington, and Phyllis Adkins, as well as legions of friends and acquaintances with whom she enjoyed spending her time.

Sharon's life celebration will be at 11 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2024, at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home.  Father Larry McBride will officiate.  Entombment will be in St. Louis Cemetery Mausoleum.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 15, 2024, and until service time Monday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Steve Beasley, George Skaggs, Lee Higginbotham, Mark Croft, Richard Church, and Thomas Gillespie.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to New Hope Animal Rescue.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Homeplace of Henderson at Adams Lane (formerly Colonial Assisted Living), Newburgh Healthcare, and St. Croix Hospice for their guidance and care.  We also wish to express our gratitude to friends and family for your concern, prayers, and solidarity in rallying around us during this challenging time.

Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com.