Sharan Denise Polk (Varnum), 60, a native of Americus, was born on July 23, 1965, to the late James Alvin Varnum Sr. and Edythe Ann Varnum (Johnson). On March 10, 2026, she passed away at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus, GA.

Sharan was very kind and generous, going above and beyond to help someone in need. She was endlessly proud of her grandchildren, finding her greatest joy simply in being with them. They were the center of her world, just as she was the center of theirs. Whenever they walked into the room, her eyes lit up, and her whole spirit seemed to rise as if their presence alone filled her with light.

Sharan is survived by her husband of 40 loving years, Shelby; her daughter and only child, Heather Richard; two grandchildren, Brianna and Benjamin Richard, all of Americus; a sister, Jane Rigsby (Leon) of Ellaville; two brothers, Alvin Varnum (Linda) of Americus and Danny Varnum of Plains; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Sharan is preceded in death by her brother, Carl Douglas Varnum.