Sharon Cunningham Swank Backhus

Sharon Cunningham Swank Backhus was born on August 4th, 1947, in Austin, Texas to Benjamin F. Swank, Jr. and Ida Mae Harris Swank and died on August 2nd, 2024, in her beloved hometown of Navasota, Texas. She was 76 years old.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday, August 5th at Nobles Funeral Chapel in Navasota. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM Tuesday, August 6th at Nobles Funeral Chapel in Navasota. A burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Navasota.

In her early years, Sharon moved to Navasota, Texas with her parents, where she would live for the rest of her life. Sharon spent her formative years attending Navasota ISD, where she would later graduate from Navasota High School in 1965. She was a Rattler through and through. Sharon loved her time at Navasota High School, where she made many friends whom she loved like family.

In the years following, Sharon gave birth to three of her four children; Shannon, Haven, and Shane. She spent the subsequent years nurturing and caring for her family. Raising her children was the highlight of her life. In later years she gave birth to her baby Swank, who she looked forward to seeing getting married to the love of his life later this year. Sharon’s love for her family was unparalleled, and she expressed this through the time she spent with them and the care she provided. After her first three children left home, Sharon joined The Bank of Navasota as a bank teller. She spent 15 years with the bank, where she worked until she retired in 2013.

In her last years of life, Sharon could be found commenting on Facebook posts, playing on her iPad, planning trips to the casino, watching Wheel of Fortune and her beloved Hallmark Channel, and talking on the phone with her many friends and family. Sharon loved in abundance; offering words of support, wisdom, and ended most calls to her family with a reminder to “Be Sweet.”

Sharon is survived by her children Shannon Pickering, Haven Wisnoski, Shane Werchan, Swank Backhus and her future daughter-in-law Karina Munoz, grandchildren Kameron Wisnoski, Kaleb Wisnoski, Emma Mae Pickering, Wyatt Pickering, great-grandson Tate Wisnoski, beloved brother Benjamin Swank and his wife Susie, sister Kathleen Dimmel and her husband Mark, stepmother Nancy Swank, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Sharon is joined in heaven by her mother Ida Mae Swank, father Benjamin F. Swank Jr., son-in-law Johnny Wisnoski, step-siblings Justin and Melissa Boenker, and a host of relatives and friends who are loved and missed.

Pallbearers include Kameron Wisnoski, Kaleb Wisnoski, Wyatt Pickering, Mark Dimmel, Brian Backhus, and Wesley Jackson. Honorary pallbearers include Tate Wisnoski, Danny Clark, Larry Stoker, and NHS Class of 1965.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any church and/or charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital Bryan and St. Joseph Health College Station for their compassionate care and St. Joseph Health Grimes Hospital for making her feel like she was family.