Sharon Kay Hurley Taylor

Sharon was born on Nov. 28 1949 in Vallejo, Calif., and completed her mortal journey on earth July 27, 2022 to be reunited with her loving God. Sharon moved with her family to Greenfield, Calif., in 1953. She graduated from Greenfield Union Elementary in 1963, King City Joint Union High School in 1967, and Hartnell Community College in 1999.

During her early years, Sharon participated in Brownies, Girl Scouts, and the Greenfield 4-H sewing and cooking projects. During her time in school, she played the violin, viola, cello, and string bass. She also participated in the Kiddie Kapers Parade with her baton at the Salinas Rodeo. While at KCHS, Sharon was a member of the GAA sports program, and the marching precision drill team; she also participated in the senior play "Annie Get Your Gun" as part of the make-up and costume team. Growing up she was an active member of the Greenfield Methodist Church.

Sharon married Theodore Taylor in 1969. Upon her divorce in 1973, she moved to Chula Vista, Calif. While there she became a member of the First United Methodist Church. Sharon then returned to her hometown of Greenfield and then later to King City to raise her children. While the children were growing up, she showed her love by following them through their various activities of Brownies, youth soccer, peewee baseball, football, track-and-field, FFA, and participating on the Mustang Bench. Later on, she supported her grandchildren through soccer, softball, cheerleading, baseball, 4-H, and the Atascadero football and swim teams.

For 26 years, Sharon worked for the California Department of Corrections. She was a Correctional Case Records Manager for the Correctional Training Facility (CTF), California State Prison, Corcoran, and was on the activating team for the Salinas Valley State Prison. Before her retirement, Sharon was awarded Supervisor of the Year (1998).

Then in 2005 after she retired, she moved to Atascadero to be closer to her children and became an active member of the Atascadero United Methodist Church. She served as the secretary for the United Methodist Women (UMW), was part of the Prayer Tree Chain, and was a member of the Welcoming Committee for new members.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow and Treava Hurley; brother, Mike Spezze; sister, Sandy Rutherford; brother-in-law, Fred Rutherford; nephew, Tony Rutherford; and niece, Heidi Hurley. Sharon is survived by her brother, Gary Hurley (Janelle) of Paso Robles; daughter, Melanie Cavaletto (Richard) of Somis, Calif.; son, Brian Taylor (Christine) of Orcutt, Calif. She is also grieved by her niece, Patricia (Larry) Morgan-Ott, of Orville, Calif.; nephews, Andy (Caley) Rutherford of Denair, Calif.; and Hec Hurley of King City.

Sharon was a strong believer that family means everything. Her legacy includes grandchildren, Christopher Cavaletto; Benjamin Cavaletto; David (Claire) Cavaletto; Joseph (Erin) Cavaletto; Analisa Cavaletto; Samantha (Taylor) Toole; Tristan Taylor; and Lexy Cumberland-Blaies. Her great-grandchildren, Toni and Mikey Cavaletto; Lily and Reed Cavaletto; and soon-to-be-arriving Easton Toole. She also had a strong love for her great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Sharon's life will be held at the Atascadero United Methodist Church on Aug. 20, 2022 at 10 a.m. As Sharon recognized the importance of education and life skills, she would have liked individuals to make memorial contributions in her name to the following scholarships:

Tony Rutherford Memorial Scholarship

F&M Bank in Turlock, CA or sent via Venmo to the account @TonyRutherfordMemorial or

mailed to 2425 E Monte Vista Ave. Denair, CA 95316.

or

Dr. Richard and Melanie Cavaletto Endowed Scholarship

c/o Cal Poly BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department

1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

Published in King City Rustler and Salinas Valley Tribune · August 5, 2022