Sharon Brackett Cruzan,

Sharon Brackett Cruzan, age 65, of Bethlehem, NC passed away unexpectedly at her residence on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, following a brief illness. Born in Balston Spa, NY to the late Fredrick N. and Marie Eleanor Brackett, Sharon was a homemaker, lovingly caring for her family. She was an active member of Bethlehem Baptist Church where she was active in Sunday School, having served in the children’s church and nursery programs. Mrs. Cruzan was a strong advocate for the rights of the Deaf and had worked tirelessly for laws establishing Deaf Rights in their early passage. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of forty-five years, Lt. Gary Lee Edward Cruzan, US Navy, Retired in July of 2010. She also had been preceded by one brother, Fred Brackett Jr.  Sharon is survived by three children: Sherry Rhoney and husband, Ashley of Lafayette, LA., Senior Chief Cindy Cruzan, Washington, DC and Garrett Edward Cruzan and wife, Debbie of Oxford, AL. She has two grandchildren, Kaylan Marie and Chase Rhoney, of Lafayette, LA. Two sisters: Deline Bills and husband Robert of Balston Spa, NY and Colleen Barron and husband John of Endwell, NY; three brothers: Ronald Brackett and wife Polly of Marian, CT, Lynn “Sam” Brackett of Norwich, CT, Johnny Brackett and wife Burnadette, of Norwich CT, and a sister-in-law, Linda Brackett, Norwich, CT. She is survived by her mother-in-law Margret Basham Cruzan Myer, of Hickory, NC. There are a number of nieces and nephews.  Visitation will be held Wed. Jan. 5, 2011, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bethlehem, NC from 1:00-2:45p.m.with funeral services at 3:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Rev. Kenneth Lambert and Rev. Kenneth Little will officiate. Pallbearers will be Terry Reardon, Ashley and Chase Rhoney, Ronald Galbreath, Archie Elliott, and Max White.  Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka KS, 66675-8516.  Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service is serving the Cruzan family.