Sharon Kay Smith Murphy

Sharon Kay (Smith) Murphy, 77, of Bermuda Run, NC passed away peacefully on October 23, 2025 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston Salem, NC.

Born at the then City Hospital in Winston-Salem to Robert Clinton Smith and Margie Taylor Smith, Sharon spent much of her teen years living with her best friends in Mocksville, Penny & Kae Anderson and their mother, Vergie Anderson and friend Nancy Lynn Grubbs. She also developed an affinity for fast cars.

After graduating from Davie High School, Sharon went to Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Charlotte, NC. With her aptitude for using technology to treat cancer, she furthered her expertise in radiation therapy and while in nursing school developed an oncology nursing program for Queen’s College where she also taught several of the courses.

Sharon received her BA from Covenant College in Chattanooga and graduated from University of Virginia in the first nuclear medicine/Radiation Oncology class. Pursuing her quest for advanced credentialing she also earned her MBA and MHA from Pfeiffer University.

She relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee where she worked at both the Erlanger Health Center and Memorial Hospital cancer centers. In 1989, wanting to be closer to her father, R.C., in Mocksville, she accepted a position at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem as Director of Radiation Oncology. At that time plans were being made to open a cancer treatment center. Working with the hospital’s leadership team and her staff, she guided the development of the Forsyth Medical Center’s cancer treatment program today known as the Novant Health Cancer Institute that is ranked among the best in the nation.

In 1990, Sharon’s future sister-in-law, Camille Jones, interviewed Sharon as part of Camille’s MBA assignment. A 15-minute scheduled meeting extended to an hour. At the interview’s conclusion, Camille asked if she could give her brother Joe, Sharon’s phone number.

Fortunately for all concerned Sharon said yes. Their first date was delayed because Sharon took her niece, Melody Smith, on a trip to Alaska. Upon her return, Joe and Sharon’s first date was the county fair at which they learned they both enjoyed the tractor pull contest, or at least that was their story.

Sharon and Joe were married six months later, on March 16, 1991, at Home Moravian Chapel in Winston Salem. The wedding was originally scheduled for May, but Joe was in the furniture business as a manufacturer’s representative and Sharon was determined she wanted him married before the two-week long High Point Furniture Market held in April.

At first Sharon’s father, R.C. was a little concerned at how fast they got married, but later he told Sharon, “I’m glad WE married Joe”.

Sharon loved to travel and enjoyed French and Italian wine, food, and on one trip hiked the Alps.

One of Sharon’s greatest gifts was recognizing those who shared her vision, giving them responsibility and encouragement so they too could excel. Her former staff, upon learning of Sharon’s entering Hospice, have been inspirational and universal in acknowledging that she was a teacher and leader by example, allowing good employees to become even better. The result was a nationally recognized cancer treatment center focused on compassionate care, respect for patients and their families, and the latest in cancer treatment technology.

Sharon served on many professional boards and committees including the Board of Cancer Services, Inc., from 1995-2001 where she served as President for two years and was instrumental in securing their permanent home. And she served for many years on the American Society for Radiation Oncology Board, including President from 1989-1990.

Sharon retired from Forsyth Medical Center in 2012 as Vice President of Oncology Services. Several months later, she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and a few months after that with Parkinson’s Disease. She went into remission after a year of treatment and stayed in remission for over five years before the myeloma returned. Sharon made the decision to forgo additional treatment for the myeloma because of the debilitating progression of Parkinson’s. Her physicians agreed to let nature take its course.

In her last days at Hospice, remembrances poured in from friends, family and colleagues, all acknowledging her many accomplishments, kindness and her courage.

Sharon was preceded in death by her brothers, Rodney Taylor Smith and Jeffrey Mark Smith. She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Joseph Murphy; a brother Robert Smith; nieces, Mel Shepherd, Erin Jochim and husband Bart; nephews, Brad Smith, Craig Smith and Eric Smith; sister-in-law, Camille (Murphy) Jones and husband Kim, and sister-in-law, Carol Ann Smith. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel with Rev. Joanne Henley officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Sharon’s passion for community impact organizations, the family requests memorials be made to Cancer Services, Inc. 3175 Maplewood Ave., Winston Salem, NC 27103, www.cancerservicesonline.org/give) OR Pivot Ministry 501 Miller St., Winston Salem, NC 27103, www.pivotnow.org/donate).