Sharon Marie Wilkey

Sharon Marie Wilkey, age 81 of Dayton, passed away at her home on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. She was born in Dayton on September 11, 1944, the daughter of the late John William Beene and Lillian Lucille (McBroom) Beene. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Darrell Austin Wilkey, on December 19, 2025.

Sharon was raised in Graysville before relocating to Dayton in 1963 following her marriage. A graduate of Rhea Central High School, she worked at Dri-Set in Graysville and Kayser-Roth Hosiery in Dayton, and later co-owned and operated Darrell's Texaco in Dayton alongside her husband. She attended two Dayton churches: Foursquare Church (Vine and Branches) and The Grove.

Sharon is survived by her children, Rebecca “Dee” Wilkey of Illinois, Darla (Chris) Smith of Dayton, and Stacey Wilkey of Dayton; her grandsons, Zachary (Caitlynn) Smith of Athens and Matthew Smith of Dayton; her great-granddaughters, Eleanor “Ellie” and Camilla “Millie” Smith; her brother Richard Beene of Chattanooga; and her sister, Johnnie Long of Graysville.

Funeral services for Sharon will be in the funeral home chapel on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 12:00 noon with Rev. Brian Conley officiating. She will be laid to rest with her husband at Rhea Memory Gardens after the service.

Please share your memories and photos of Sharon on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee, where they will receive friends one hour before the service.