Sharlene A Parr

FAYETTEVILLE – Sharlene Anne Parr (86) of Fayetteville, NY entered the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the early morning hours of January 9 after a long illness. She had been eagerly awaiting her glory day for as long as her family can remember. Her husband, Robert Parr, cared for her tenderly throughout her illness, and he was with her when she died.

Sharlene was born on March 18, 1936, in Herkimer, a daughter of late Charles and Wauletta (Spencer) Bennett.  She graduated from Van Hornesville High School and continued her education at Cortland State to earn her teaching degree. For several years she taught in the Cazenovia school system and in a small Christian school.  She retired from teaching in 1998.

On June 28, 1952, she married Harvey Tennant in the First United Methodist Church, Herkimer.  They shared a devoted union of 49 years until his passing on August 13, 2001.  Seven years later, on August 30, 2008, she married Robert A. Parr in New Woodstock.  Robert and Sharlene enjoyed traveling and visiting their children. For a while they lived in Florida then North Carolina before moving back to New York state in 2017.

Sharlene had a strong Christian faith and belonged to Open Door Baptist Church of New Woodstock. When she was thirty-five years old, she heard the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and trusted Him as her personal Savior. From that point on, for over fifty years, she was faithful to read God's Word, to attend and serve in a local church, and to be a godly example to her family and friends.

Sharlene spent most of her life serving others, particularly her own family. She was the perfect homemaker. She kept a tidy and inviting home, fixed yummy meals, and devoted herself to her family. Sharlene also distinguished herself as a sender of cards, and she was unmatched in that endeavor. It was one of her favorite ways to show love. That and fixing food. She was always generous, always caring, and always showering others with acts of kindness.

Sharlene was the heart of the family, and her absence will always be felt. She wanted her homegoing to be a time of rejoicing, so her family will celebrate her life on January 21 at Open Door Baptist Church in New Woodstock. Visitation is from 10 AM – noon; the memorial service starts at noon. Interment in Van Hornesville Cemetery will take place later this spring.

Surviving are her husband Robert; four sons and two daughters - Steven Tennant and his wife Michele of Syracuse, Daniel Tennant and his wife Karen of New Woodstock, Brian Tennant and his special lady Loreta Miller of Cazenovia, Dr Gary Tennant  of Flossmoor IL, Shari Pill and her husband Jeffrey of Watertown WI, Judy Mahony and her husband David of Oakton VA, and her one step-daughter Margaret Mael and her husband Jeffrey of Port Charlotte FL;  twenty-two grandchildren: Nathaniel, Angelica, Priscilla, Jeremiah, Christopher, Andrew, Bethany, Kelsey, Paden, Alexander, Megan Baratta, Erica Starks, Sarah Herbert, Hannah Buchi, Taylor Pill, Ryan Mahony, Davis Mahony, Marisa Swab, Julia Phillips, Lynsey Mael, Perla and Sharon Maridiaga; sixteen great-grandchildren: Jackson, Connor, Owen, Grace, Andrew Jr, Adam, Josiah, Natalia, Susannah, Caroline, Ella, Olive, Grayson, Callie, Asher and Thatcher; several nieces, nephews and cousins.  She is also survived by two siblings, Nora Bennett of Clayton, Charles Bennett and his wife Bonnie of Loris, SC, a sister-in-law, Carole Bennett of Mohawk, and a brother-in-law, Lyle Seaman of Clayton.  Besides her parents and first husband Harvey Tennant, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Wauletta Krumholtz, Frances Seaman, and by two brothers, Grover and Spencer Bennett.

Memorial donation to Open Door Baptist Church (New Woodstock) or Hospice of Central New York.

Funeral Arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs.