Sharleen Elizabeth Vassar

Ms. Sharleen Elizabeth Vassar, 71, of Woodbury, Tennessee passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026. She was born in Smyrna, Tennessee on September 23, 1954. Preceding her in death were her mother, Sara Howse; brothers, Johnny Madrid and Donnie Claude; and sister, Elise Cox.

She is survived by her daughter, Connie (Dorris) Potts of Woodbury; grandchildren, Robert Ray Claude, Sara Ann Smith, Amber Lynn Hill, Destiny Dawn Harding, and Dylan Taylor Harding; bonus grandchildren, Kimberly Medley and Nicholas Potts; brother, Daniel Howse; close friend, Liz Whitman; ex-husband, David George Haynes; 21 great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Born and raised in Rutherford County, Sharleen grew into a bright and bubbly person who loved to keep her family on their toes and their minds sharp. She may not have had the privilege of finishing school, but Sharleen was a voracious reader, especially of Danielle Steel books. With a mind like a steel trap, she earned her GED later on as a testament to her commitment to education.

Sharleen worked a myriad of jobs over her lifetime in hospitals, nursing homes, factories, and laundry, but Better Bilt Aluminum had the majority of her time. A lady of routines, all of her jobs fit her personality and stamina well, and she had the charisma to keep spirits up. Sharleen could be quite comical but did it with love and care. Not realizing it at the time, she found her true calling when her daughter was born.

A fan of the television series “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” Sharleen could not pass up the opportunity to name her baby girl after the nurse, Consuelo (Connie for short). The running joke is Connie would have been “Corny” if she’d been a boy because Cornelius was another stage name for the actor that played Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, M.D. And it was not up for debate.

It took a while before Sharleen settled into her full role as a mother, but when she did, she did it with her whole heart. She enjoyed crocheting and crocheted blankets as gifts for everyone she could, including Connie and Liz. Her back-and-forth banter with the girls and Dorris became the soundtrack of her life. Her mornings started with “Good morning, Beautiful. The coffee is ready,” and as soon as her feet hit the floor, you knew she’d be asking, “What’s for supper?”

She enjoyed joking with Connie, Dorris, and Liz that if she couldn’t have coffee, nobody could. Their relationship was one that radiated the closeness of a bond only chosen family could share, and their talks held the intimacy of well-known and well-loved friends. Sharleen listened just as well as she joked, and hearing her daughter’s voice every morning and every evening brought her the peace and comfort she needed each day.

Since Sharleen was a private person, her family is honoring her wishes and memory in their day-to-day actions and hearts. You can do the same with a witty joke, a friendly smile, and a caring conversation.

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story