Obituary for Shari Cannon

Shari Cannon

June 18, 1932 – August 10, 2021

A graveside entombment for family will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 10:00 am at the IOOF Cemetery Mausoleum, Blackwell, Oklahoma.

Due to Covid, a Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Shari Cannon was born to Willard Charles Slocum and Ruth Augusta Thoroman Slocum in Wichita, Kansas in 1932, and died in Enid, Oklahoma at 89 years from complications of Covid-19.

Shari grew up in her beloved Wichita until age 12 when she lost her mother due to complications of surgery. Her father re-married and the family moved to Oklahoma City to start a finance company at the end of World War II. Shari graduated from Northwest Classen High School. She enjoyed three wonderful years of college at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. During this time she grew in her faith and love for her Savior Jesus Christ. She was a drama major and had the lead in many campus theater productions. During her senior year she transferred to the University of Oklahoma and was initiated into Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from OU.

After graduation, Shari met the love of her life, Larry Cannon, from Ponca City, Oklahoma. Larry was a recent graduate of Oklahoma State University and was a student pilot with the U.S. Air Force at Vance Air Force Base in Enid. They were married on September 14, 1957 at Central Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City.

After Larry’s service in the Air Force as a C-124 pilot, the couple moved to the family farm, “the Goodson Ranch” at Blackwell, Oklahoma in 1960 to raise their family. Shari loved the small town life and being a farmer’s wife. They raised four children, Cathy, Charlie, Kay, and Tom on the farm. The Home Place where Shari lived her last 40 years remains an Oklahoma Centennial Farm, established during the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893.

Shari wore many hats over the years in Blackwell. She was an active member, youth leader, and Sunday School teacher with the First Christian Church. She started and was “in charge” of the First Christian Church Charburger Booth at the Kay County Fair for many years. She was State President of the Oklahoma Cowbelles (now Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association Auxiliary), PEO, Alpha Chi Omega Alumnus, Realtor Associate, airplane pilot, Blackwell Hospital Director of Volunteer Services and Bible Study Fellowship Leader. In her later years she loved crocheting afghans for friends, family and for those in need. Her life was a continuous ministry. She adored her bridge club friends Ann Vickery, Betty Roberts, Charlotte Ruggs, and the late Doris Shepard. And she loved the Houston Astros!

Shari was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Goodson (Larry) Cannon, of 56 years, her sister Nancy Slocum Hornick and her parents Willard Charles Slocum and Ruth Augusta Thoroman Slocum and stepmother Florence Moore Slocum. She is survived by her four children: her daughter Cathy Swindell and husband Jim of Tyler, TX, grandchildren Steven Swindell (Fallon), Michael Swindell (Ann), and Christine Michaelson (Manly) and eight Swindell great grandchildren (John, Mark, Becca, Ella, Judah, Jimmy, Clark, and Foster Child). Shari is survived by son Charlie Cannon and wife Kelli of Enid, OK, grandchildren Sam Cannon (Bonnie), Sarah Cannon, and Molly Cannon, and two great grandchildren (Benjamin and Anna Brooke). Shari is survived by Kay Warner and husband John of Charlotte, NC, grandchildren Mitchell, Luke, and Abby Warner. Shari is also survived by Tom Cannon and wife Laurie of Blackwell, OK, grandchildren Jacob, Raegan, Rachel, and Reese Cannon. This totals 4 children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren and their spouses, and 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank her doctor Paul Briggs MD, pulmonologist Brian Whitson MD, and oncologist Jim Reeves MD for their compassionate care. The family would also like to thank all the nurses and all the health care workers, and for their incredible hard work and dedication, risking their own lives during this difficult time. We also would like to give a special thanks to Shari’s caregivers Jane Ann, Penny, and Shayla, whom she loved dearly. God bless you all.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials to the First Christian Church, 306 East Coolidge, Blackwell, OK 74631.