Help Sharon's Family Through This Tragic Loss

It is the saddest news I can imagine. With the passing of my mom, Sharon Queen Zapka, I’m at more than a loss for words. She was my best friend, mother, a grandmother and friend to many. She left behind 3 granddaughters; Savannah age 4, Alaysia age 18, and Kylah age 20. Also, her three kids and countless friends and relatives. She was battling pre cancer and numerous health issues for years. She was a fighter and held on as long as she could. She was a support system to me and her youngest granddaughter, Savannah. She passed away on October 31st, 2024; comfortably in the hospital at Holston Valley in Kingsport, TN , where she was the only one of her siblings who were born in a hospital and brought into this world. Her heart complications just couldn’t keep up with the edema and excess fluid accumulating.

Without her help, I don’t know how to proceed and get through the tough decisions and financial hardships for the next couple months. We have limited family and relatives to rely on. Please pray for us and help us survive through the toughest time of my life and the holiday seasons by sending money or resources to let us have some relief as we can try to heal and mourn our loss.

I'm asking for everyone reading this to try and understand what we are experiencing and help us get through these tough times. Every little bit helps. We need help with the living expenses and bills of running the household. This is an unexpected and urgent matter. There is no life insurance or any money coming in. I’m a single mother and on government assistance. We will probably have to relocate and that brings even more moving expenses. It’s such a sad time, all around. I’m without a vehicle and not sure how to proceed in life, with her gone.

Again, please understand how urgent and important this is to us. She always gave her all for everyone she was involved with and apart of their lives. This is the time for us to bond together and get through this tragedy. She was a student at East TN State University, where she created many friends and fond memories. She has donated her body to their medical school’s anatomical gift program. This could take years for me to recover her ashes and remains when they are done studying her body, but it will provide much study material for the students. Maybe they can find a cure for her liver disease, PBC, primary biliary cholangitis and numerous heart conditions to be able to help others in the future.

423-534-6316 is my phone number for as long as I can keep it active. [phone redacted] is my WiFi number. [email redacted] is my email. Again, anything will help. I am going to reach out to local programs to try and get help with the utilities, but there is often a long waiting period, so this is definitely a pressing issue and concern for my daughter and me.

If you haven’t experienced a loss and situation like this, I hope you never do. It is only me and my daughter and we desperately need your help and support. Mentally, physically, emotionally & definitely financially. It is so scary and heartbreaking to me. Not knowing what my next steps will be and how to proceed is so stressful and daunting. I hate having to ask but this is my last resort. I’m hoping that you can find it in your hearts to help us out in these trying times. Please keep us in your thoughts and pray for us, and help if you can.