Sharon Louise (Hensley) Fields Gilkison

Sharon Louise (Hensley) Fields Gilkison, 77, of Battle Creek, Michigan passed away suddenly at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Sharon was born May 5, 1949, in Battle Creek, the daughter of James Wallace Hensley and Beverly Jean (Blackburn) Hensley. She grew up in Battle Creek and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1967. Sharon attended Kellogg Community College and worked a variety of jobs. Her most recent employment prior to retiring in October of 2020 was spending 18 years as a Receptionist at Heritage Chevrolet. Sharon also worked for Michigan Woodworking until they closed, Phil Smead's Auto Body, managed Tan Fabulous for her daughter, Rebecca, was a realtor with Ferree Realty and even owned and operated her very own craft store in Hastings, Michigan, called Mrs. Stitches. Sharon was never afraid to work so the list goes on and on.

Sharon was formerly married to Gary Fields, Terry Lineberry and Richard Gilkison. Surviving are her mother, Beverly J. Hensley; two children, Rebecca Lynn (John Henning) Fields-Bliler and Jason Paul Douglas (Leslie) Fields both of Battle Creek; grandchildren, Nicholas (Kassie) Johnson, James (Kaitlynn) Henning, Ellah Bliler, Garrison (Payton Rice) Bliler, Carsen Fields and a great-granddaughter, Scottie Lee Bliler, all of Battle Creek and granddaughter, Kacey (Zacharias Shepard) Henning of Houston, Texas. Also surviving are her brother, James Richard "Dick" (Diah Wilson) Hensley of Marshall, Michigan; aunt, Sally A. Blackburn of Las Vegas, Nevada as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. Sharon was preceded in death by her father, James W. Hensley; grandparents, M. Jack and Mary H. Hensley and Edwin P. and Monna L. Blackburn; great-uncle and aunt, H. Clark and Mabel L. Ingram and by an uncle, E. Jack Blackburn.

More than anything, Sharon had a fierce love and dedication to her family especially her grandchildren. She would call and text daily usually multiple times just to check-in and visit with each and every person. Sharon always gave individual attention to you so you knew you were the most important person in her world at that moment. Sharon spent hours on Facebook and was definitely a wealth of knowledge if you might need an update on family, friends, community activities and much more. You also knew what to wear every day as she made sure you knew the weather without you looking out your window or checking the temperature yourself. She loved her granddogs, the bulldogs, Titus and Tilly. They were spoiled with treats and toys galore. Same with all of her grandkitties. Sharon's friends were lights of her life as well. Sharing in many adventures and craft projects, she spoke so highly of her tightknit circle. She was a vendor at hundreds of craft shows all over and she volunteered for years with AMBUCS and Heritage Chevrolet's Car Shows. In her younger years, Sharon was a Campfire Girl, a DeMolay Sweetheart, a Rainbow Girl and a Camp Counselor at Camp Kitanniwa. She played the clarinet and the piano. Sharon modeled and worked for Jacbobson's Deparment Store. She sang in the choir at First Congregational Church. She was in the Junior Theater with leading roles such as Cinderella and Snow White. Sharon was a Crafter's Crafter. She enjoyed it all and was so excellent at every craft task she took on whether it be sewing, embroidery, knitting, scrapbooking or anything new and exciting to her. There are not many people in Sharon's world who have not been gifted a specially crafted item from her. Sharon will always be remembered for her laugh, generosity, constant memes and reels but mostly her amazing heart and abundance of love she gave to absolutely everyone she encountered.

Friends will be received 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2026, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, where a funeral service to celebrate Sharon's beautiful life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 12, 2026. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/event/6166150 . Entombment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Companion Cats, 29 Hoag St., Battle Creek, MI 49014 or to Calhoun County Animal Shelter, 165 Union St., Battle Creek, MI 49014.