Obituary for Sharon Sorrels
Sharon Sorrels passed peacefully from this life on May 1, 2023, in her home. She was surrounded in love by her three children.
Sharon was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1938. She grew up and attended high school in McAlester, Oklahoma. After graduating in 1956, she attended Abilene Christian College for a year and spent another year in California with her dad and sister. She returned to McAlester and worked for KTMC Radio Station and the Chamber of Commerce. In 1958, Sharon married the love of her life, Bobby Don Sorrels. He joined the Air Force and their first child David, was born while he was overseas. When Bobby's tour of duty was completed, he attended Eastern OK A&M. They then moved to Stillwater where he earned his Civil Engineering degree at OSU while working for the USDA. They spent several years living in Colorado and were blessed with two more children, Melinda and Ginger. Their extended families back home were very important to them and when they had the opportunity to return, they gladly did so. They were married for 64 years and had 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Sharon was a lifetime member of the Church of Christ and worked part time at their University Center from 1978-1984 and as the church secretary from 1984-1986. She was active in her church and loved her church family. She then worked as an administrative assistant and financial officer for Stillwater Domestic Violence Services for the following 18 years until retiring in 2008. She enjoyed the diversity of those she worked with and impacted the lives of so many. She also loved her community and volunteered at Stillwater Medical Center and was an ombudsman at Grace Living Center for a number of years. She would tell you the job she treasured most was being a mother and homemaker and she was grateful to stay at home with her children until they were in school.
In earlier years, she spent a good amount of time sewing and made bell bottom jeans and embroidered shirts at her kids request. She enjoyed oil painting and was an avid reader. She shared her love of books with her children and grandchildren. She came from a large family and loved talking about the fond memories of being raised by a devoted mother, surrounded with grandparents, many aunts, uncles and cousins with whom she stayed close with throughout her life. She loved all of her family deeply and the time spent with them were some of her favorite, blessed moments of her life.
Sharon was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bobby, parents Virginia and Roy Vandaveer, sister Peggy Sheldon and grandson Christopher Dylan Howerton.
Sharon is survived by her children, David Sorrels (Dee), Mendy Howerton (Brett), and Ginger Sorrels (Cliff); grandchildren, Isaac, Jacob, Trevor, Clay, Hayley, Lindsay, Chace, Chandler and Preslie; loving niece, sister-in-law, cousins, friends; and dog, Jimmy.
Our family would like to sincerely thank Companion Healthcare for the loving care they provided. Each member of their team was a true gift and blessing to us. We are eternally grateful.
Sharon was known for her faith, kindness, generosity and unconditional love for those in her life. She was a bright light and leaves an impactful legacy for those who knew her best. She will be dearly missed but remains forever in our hearts.
A service of remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20th, at the Church of Christ in Stillwater.
Sharon was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1938. She grew up and attended high school in McAlester, Oklahoma. After graduating in 1956, she attended Abilene Christian College for a year and spent another year in California with her dad and sister. She returned to McAlester and worked for KTMC Radio Station and the Chamber of Commerce. In 1958, Sharon married the love of her life, Bobby Don Sorrels. He joined the Air Force and their first child David, was born while he was overseas. When Bobby's tour of duty was completed, he attended Eastern OK A&M. They then moved to Stillwater where he earned his Civil Engineering degree at OSU while working for the USDA. They spent several years living in Colorado and were blessed with two more children, Melinda and Ginger. Their extended families back home were very important to them and when they had the opportunity to return, they gladly did so. They were married for 64 years and had 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Sharon was a lifetime member of the Church of Christ and worked part time at their University Center from 1978-1984 and as the church secretary from 1984-1986. She was active in her church and loved her church family. She then worked as an administrative assistant and financial officer for Stillwater Domestic Violence Services for the following 18 years until retiring in 2008. She enjoyed the diversity of those she worked with and impacted the lives of so many. She also loved her community and volunteered at Stillwater Medical Center and was an ombudsman at Grace Living Center for a number of years. She would tell you the job she treasured most was being a mother and homemaker and she was grateful to stay at home with her children until they were in school.
In earlier years, she spent a good amount of time sewing and made bell bottom jeans and embroidered shirts at her kids request. She enjoyed oil painting and was an avid reader. She shared her love of books with her children and grandchildren. She came from a large family and loved talking about the fond memories of being raised by a devoted mother, surrounded with grandparents, many aunts, uncles and cousins with whom she stayed close with throughout her life. She loved all of her family deeply and the time spent with them were some of her favorite, blessed moments of her life.
Sharon was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bobby, parents Virginia and Roy Vandaveer, sister Peggy Sheldon and grandson Christopher Dylan Howerton.
Sharon is survived by her children, David Sorrels (Dee), Mendy Howerton (Brett), and Ginger Sorrels (Cliff); grandchildren, Isaac, Jacob, Trevor, Clay, Hayley, Lindsay, Chace, Chandler and Preslie; loving niece, sister-in-law, cousins, friends; and dog, Jimmy.
Our family would like to sincerely thank Companion Healthcare for the loving care they provided. Each member of their team was a true gift and blessing to us. We are eternally grateful.
Sharon was known for her faith, kindness, generosity and unconditional love for those in her life. She was a bright light and leaves an impactful legacy for those who knew her best. She will be dearly missed but remains forever in our hearts.
A service of remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20th, at the Church of Christ in Stillwater.