RICHMOND—Sharon Farrell Watson passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026, surrounded by her three children, Lindsey, Christian and Tommy. Known for her kindness, her warmth and the quiet way she cared for everyone around her, Sharon lived a life given to family and friends. She was happiest on the water, surrounded by the people she loved.
Born in April 1951 in Anchorage, Alaska, Sharon was the only daughter of Col. Peter Buck Farrell and Joan Lang Farrell. As an Army child she grew up moving from post to post, with stops in New Mexico, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Oklahoma. From an early age she loved horses and barrel racing, and that love of being outside and on the move stayed with her for the rest of her life.
She studied nursing at Marymount University in Arlington and settled in Richmond. She later stepped away from nursing to work alongside her husband Bobby, first at Hamilton Paper and then at Acme Paper.
Caring for others was simply who she was. When Bobby and her brother Tom each battled illness, Sharon was there. She helped care for them with humility and love and never asked for anything in return. That was Sharon.
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband of 40 years, Robert “Bobby” Watson, who passed in 2019; her son, Cary Watson; her daughter-in-law, Annie Armogida; and her brother, Thomas Farrell.
She is survived by her three children, Christian Armogida, Lindsey Watson and Tommy Watson, and his wife, Maggie; her four grandchildren, Josephine, Amelia, Camden and Evan; her brother, Timothy Farrell, and his wife, Kathy; her sister-in-law, Anne Farrell; her loving companion of her later years, Lloyd Halstead; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Sharon was the life of the party. She was welcoming. She was kind. Her sense of fun was contagious. Her nieces, nephews and cousins adored her, and she adored them right back. Whether exploring the world with family, or relaxing on the water in Manteo, North Carolina, where she spent her last several years, Sharon was happiest with family and friends close by and a glass (or two) of Pinot Grigio in hand.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 10, at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, with a reception to follow. A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 8, in the outdoor garden at the Pioneer Theater in Manteo, North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department, https://fairfieldsfire.com/.
Bliley Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Richmond handled the arrangements.
