Sharon Owney Tessenear

Sharon Owney Tessenear, 74, passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. She was born to Samuel Carlton Owney, Jr. and Valois Priest Owney (Payne) in Portsmouth, Virginia. She is preceded in death by her parents, and stepfather, James B. Payne, Sr.; and brother, Tommy Payne. She is survived by loving husband of 56 years, James Tessenear; her children, April Kenimer (Bruce) and Jay Tessenear; her beloved grandchildren, James and Thomas Kenimer, and Shay and Jolie Tessenear; her brothers, Donny Owney and Burney Payne (Karen); her stepsisters, Nona Barnette (Chet), Mira Hunter, Bernice Hoggard, and Ann Prince. Also loving in-laws, Nancy Samuels (Marc) and Tony Tessenear (Barbara); and many loving nieces and nephews and life long friends.

Sharon was a dedicated Registered Nurse who graduated from Portsmouth General Hospital. She worked in several hospitals in Virginia and Florida for 27 years. Her last job before retiring in 2009 was at John Randolph Hospital in Hopewell, VA. She enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, taking care of her flowers, lunches with friends, shopping, 60's music, and casino hopping among other pursuits. Her greatest joy were her children, grandchildren, and the newest addition of a great-granddaughter, Rhiannon. She loved her pets especially Casey and Mouse.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son from 2 PM to 4 PM.