Hundreds of people from the Turlock and Denair communities gathered Sunday night to honor the memory of Sharon Howze with a walk in her honor, just a day after she tragically passed.
“We began the day with such a hole in our hearts,” said Ted Howze, Sharon Howze's husband and a former Turlock City Councilman. “It felt like they were ripped out of our chests.
“To see these people show up today, you don't know what you've done for our hearts. My heart is so full right now, from all of you showing up to support our family. You'll never know how much it means to us.”
Sharon Howze was participating in an organized five-mile race on Saturday when she collapsed near the finish line. She was taken to Emanuel Medical Center, where she passed surrounded by her family.
Sharon Howze was very involved in the community, and a track coach for Denair schools.
Treadwell Photography organized a mile-and-a-half walk in remembrance of Sharon Howze Sunday evening, beginning at the home of friends Brad and Melissa Treadwell and ending at the Howze residence. The number of mourners grew from 200 to more than 300 during the short the walk, as attendees sang “Amazing Grace.”
The walk was a somber affair, filled with tears, candlelight, and prayer.
“Lord, we come before you tonight with heavy hearts, Lord,” said Steven Flannery, pastor of Free Will Baptist Church. “It's never easy to lose someone that we love. Someone who was an inspiration, Lord, and an encouragement to all who knew her. Lord, all we can ask for now is comfort and peace.”
Family, friends, and students all gathered for the walk. Ted Howze, his sons, Trey, Trenton, and Tynan, along with other family, thanked the community for the overwhelming show of support in the family's time of need.
“This is something we'll always look back on, always, and never forget the support that you've shown our family,” Ted Howze said. “All we can say is thank you very much. Thank you for supporting our family.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
The Howze family thanking everyone for their outpouring show of support and remembrance.
Ted Howze and family recieved condolences from hundreds of people as they were invited into the Howze residence to remember Sharon Howze.
