Sharon Sue (Barlow) Vorhis

SHARON SUE (BARLOW) VORHIS was born on June 27, 1952, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to William Harrison and Robbie Lee Barlow.

Sharon grew up in Indianapolis with her parents and siblings on Yandes Avenue. Her big brother, Marvin, gave her the nickname “Doodlebug.” She professed a hope in Christ at an early age under the leadership of Rev. D.B. Dudley at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, where she sang in the Senior Choir and Ladies Chorus and worked in the kitchen for many years, helping during Vacation Bible School, Women’s Day, and annual church anniversaries. Sharon also helped minister through song as a member of the Ecumenical Choir under the direction of Bro. Michael Hubbard, Galilee’s former Minister of Music.

She attended Schools #26 and #66 for grade school and graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1970, where she sang in the Glee Club. She also completed two years of college at Purdue University. She married Michael Vorhis, and from this union two daughters were born.

She began her career as a teller with Merchants National Bank and later joined Wishard Hospital, where she served 30 years as a supervisor in Emergency Registration and as a manager in Financial Counseling before retiring in 2008. Known for her generous heart, she selflessly moved to Texas to help care for her brother, Daniel, during his illness, showing the same love she gave to everyone around her. She also became guardian to her teenage cousin, Roytus, who moved from Champaign, Illinois, so Roytus would have the best opportunity to finish school.

Sharon was a lady of many talents, including modeling plus-size fashions for the William H. Block Co. department store through the BBW (Big, Beautiful Woman) agency. She enjoyed spending time with her family and could often be found sneaking her favorite sweet treat. Sharon loved to shop, cook, and travel. She also enjoyed making others look good as she hemmed and altered clothes on her newest Singer sewing machine. Those who knew her will remember her famous greens, cornbread dressing, and salmon croquettes.

Sharon departed this life on October 20, 2026, at Eskenazi Hospital at the age of 74. She is survived by her daughters, Lanise Vorhis and Monique Crowell (Edward); her special daughter and cousin, Roytus Cheatham; her grandchildren, Brieana Smith (Dexter), Michelle Easter, Cierra Vorhis, Demetrius Jones-Crowell, Jaiden Crowell, and Gabrielle Crowell; her great-grandchildren, Brayden Easter, Joshua Eldridge, and Destyni Smith; her siblings, Dennis Barlow (Lucille), Nancy Barlow, David Barlow (Tia), and Daniel Barlow (Siyona); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Robbie Barlow; her brothers, Marvin L. Barlow and Ronald Barlow; and her sister, Edith Bailey.

Sharon’s love, laughter, and generous spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.