Sharing Sharon

Alzheimer’s, God, Peace 3 Minutes

Sharon Sue Petty, 80, passed away peacefully at home amid family on December 24, 2020. The third of five children, Sharon was born February 26, 1940, at home in Oklahoma City to Edward Tony and Catherine Leota Barker Savage. She brought extra joy into this world.

As a young girl, Sharon wanted to be president of the United States. She met David Kent Petty at the end of her eighth-grade year when she was elected Student Council president. David, as the outgoing president, swore in Sharon as the new president. These kids fell for each other at Northeast High School in Oklahoma City, and they swore their lives to each other in marriage on May 29, 1961. Sharon chose to be the best wife and mother she could be, and she was.

Sharon attended Oklahoma State University and delayed her graduation to support David through law school. When the family moved to Guymon in January 1970, Sharon continued her studies and graduated from Oklahoma Panhandle State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

Sharon loved gardening. Over the years, she cultivated many productive vegetable gardens and gave away bushels of zucchini. She applied for and received grants of over $100,000 for trees to beautify Guymon. She planted and watered many trees personally. Sharon also served several terms as the president of the Rose Garden Club in Guymon, where she mentored other gardeners. Sharon’s top gardening tips included 1) Only trim shrubs in the months with “R” in them. 2) Planting trees in the fall gives them a chance to grow before leaves require moisture. 3) Knockout roses are wonderful. They bloom from spring to the first freeze. They are hardy and resist disease and drought.

Active in her church and community, Sharon taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and helped with Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. She volunteered as a tutor in Guymon Public Schools, as an ombudsman at the Heritage Community, and as a committee member for Guymon on the Move. Sharon visited, mentored, and shared hope with inmates and met weekly with her beloved ladies’ Bible study groups. A member of Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, Sharon was involved with United Methodist Women, the UMW Clothing Ministry, the Stephen Ministry, Martha Ruth Circle, and several church committees. UMW honored Sharon with their special recognition for her service. In 2002, the City of Guymon recognized her as Citizen of the Year. In 2004, Beta Sigma Phi sorority awarded Sharon the honor of Woman of the Year. In 2008, Main Street Guymon recognized Sharon for her efforts toward the city’s beautification. Sharon only wanted to make a difference, and she did.

Sharon touched many lives with her beautiful smile, unconditional love, and constant kindness, and her life was a living example of her favorite Bible verse, Isaiah 41:13. “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Sharon fought the challenges of Alzheimer’s and complications from COVID-19 with the supernatural strength and courage of her heavenly Father. At age ten, Sharon knew she needed Jesus, and she felt His presence throughout her days.  

Sharon is survived by her husband David of the home; daughter Liz Lee and husband Mike of Guymon; son Scott Petty and wife Gerri of Stillwater; daughter Crystal Byers and husband Kody of Houston, Texas; grandchildren Chase Lee, Gant Lee, Drew Byers, Lauren Byers, Catherine Petty and Will Petty; two great granddaughters Olivia and Allyson Lee; her brother and his wife, John Paul and Nancy Savage of Granbury, Texas; her sister-in-law Linda Savage of Norman; and many nephews and nieces. Sharon was preceded in death by her sister Carol Rose Payton and two brothers James Edward Savage and Joed Cleve Savage. All of these she loved and touched deeply.

Sharon’s life will be celebrated with a graveside service at Elmhurst Cemetery in Guymon on Monday, December 28th at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rose Garden Club of Guymon or the Panhandle State Foundation scholarship fund. In her memory, please wear a mask and maintain distance in public.

Published by Crystal Byers

When I was young, my dad would always say, "Crystal, you can choose your attitude." One day I chose to believe him.

Published

61 thoughts on “Sharing Sharon”

  1. So very sorry for your loss, Crystal. I know it was a blessing that she was released from everything she had been going through – and on Christmas Eve as well – but it’s never easy to say goodbye to your mother. It sounds from her obit as though you have done an excellent job of replicating the values she lived in your own life. My most sincere condolences.

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  5. Crystal I am so sorry to hear you lost your Mom. Take comfort in knowing she is in heaven and has none of the physical or health issues anymore. I will pray for you and your family to find peace. She sounded like a great woman. ❤️

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    1. I do take comfort in knowing she received a celebration upon her arrival and another one today for Jesus’s birthday. I picture her young and whole now with a smile that radiates joy. Thank you, Shay.

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  8. So sorry to hear about the loss of you mum. May the Lord grant you peace and comfort as you grieve the loss of your mum.
    Sending you some love and hugs Crystal 🤗💙
    Manu

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  13. Crystal, I’m so sorry that you’ve lost your Mom. Christmas will never be the same for you and your family. Her great spirit lives on in you, the trees she planted, and the gardeners she inspired. May you and your family find comfort during this time of your loss and grief ❤

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  15. Holding you and your precious family in my HEART, sending up prayers for blessed peace and the comfort of knowing she is now free of suffering and the physical limitations of the body. May God Bless you and enfold each of you in the Love and Light of His Eternal Presence. From my HEART to your HEART in Love. Betty 💞

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  16. Crystal, I’m so very sorry for your tremendous loss. Sharon was an exceptional woman with the most kind smile. I always enjoyed visiting with her. Much love and many prayers to you and your family.

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      2. I found your message in my spam folder. I think that has to do with emoji usage. Just FYI. I tried to post on a friend’s page recently with emojis, and my message kept disappearing until I removed the emojis.

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  19. Crystal, I am so sorry for your loss. Your tribute is beautiful and hopefully provided you a release by sharing it. Take time and take care of yourself. Sending love and prayers to you and your family.

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  20. Crystal, I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful obituary. She sounded like she was quite the dynamo. Seems to me the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, friend. Hugs to you from Colorado.

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  22. Profound sympathies now, Crystal, and going forward, as you and your family progress. Your mother used her time here well, and she built an amazing life. An achievement that continues through quality you inherited.

    Right now, she awaits eagerly seeing all of you again. “If only they knew what’ll happen next. They think they have an idea, but they don’t.’

    Your mother and my father, the same reflection. Soon enough, we’ll share it, and we’ll laugh and we’ll laugh. May be a little while yet, by our standards, but to our Eternal selves, may as well have been yesterday.

    Meanwhile, let’s keep building those experiences, so we have that much more to celebrate when we see them again.

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    1. Your kindness appreciated more than ever, Keith. And the thought of my mother reconnecting with those who have gone before and making new friends, too, and piecing together the degrees of separation—and the celebrations to come—it’s all a comfort. ❤️

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  23. What a beautiful tribute to a life well-lived! Thanks for sharing.

    On Thu, Dec 24, 2020, 9:53 PM Faith + Gratitude = Peace + Hope wrote:

    > Crystal Byers posted: ” Sharon Sue Petty, 80, passed away peacefully at > home amid family on December 24, 2020. The third of five children, Sharon > was born February 26, 1940, at home in Oklahoma City to Edward Tony and > Catherine Leota Barker Savage. She brought extra joy int” >

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  24. Thank you for sharing a part of your world!.. sorry for your Mom’s passing, especially during Christmas… but the New Year is coming and the heart (filled with memories) will go on.. and know this;
    Do not stand at my grave and weep
    I am not there, I do not sleep
    I am a thousand winds that blow
    I am the diamonds glints in the snow
    I am the sunlight on ripened grain
    I am the gentle autumn rain
    When you awaking in the morning hush
    I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight
    I am the soft star that shines at night
    Do not stand by my grave and cry
    I am not there, I did not die
    (Mary Frye)

    Until we meet again….
    May the road rise to meet you
    May the wind be always at your back
    May the sun shine warm upon your face
    The rains fall soft upon your fields
    And until we meet again
    May God hold you
    In the palm of his hand..
    (Irish Saying)

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