Obituary for Sharon DePriest

Sharon DePriest

March 25, 1941 – July 4, 2023

Sharon Kay DePriest of Blackwell, OK died at the age of 82 years on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Northaven Place, the assisted living center where she resided in Oklahoma City, OK. Services are scheduled for 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 15 at First Christian Church in Blackwell with Rev. Jeff Koch officiating. A burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery with a luncheon afterward at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 505 Thunderbird Rd, Tonkawa, OK 74653

Sharon was born on March 25, 1941, in Ponca City, OK to Earl and Geneve (Mitchell) Fruits. She lived in Tonkawa, OK, moving with her family to Blackwell, OK at the age of 8 yrs. old, where she attended public school throughout high school. In 1958, she married David Mumma, and they had two children: Mark Wayne and Rebecca Ann. During their marriage, they lived in Charleston, SC; Haysville, KS; and Long Beach, CA. They were living in Kansas when they separated and divorced in 1968.

She married Ralph DePriest in 1973 and gained two stepchildren: Debra and Michael. Ralph and Sharon made their home in Blackwell, OK. Sharon worked for the Blackwell Head Start program for one summer, prior to being hired by the Blackwell School System as a teacher’s assistant for Northside Elementary School in February of 1969. She then became secretary of Northside School and later transferred to the Huston 4th-5th Grade Center, in the same position until her retirement in May of 1996, with 27 years of service. She was a member of the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association for many years.

Sharon had a passion for reading, fine arts, poetry, and acquiring collectibles of various kinds. She loved spending time with her eight grandchildren as much as possible. Her one regret was being a “long-distance” grandmother and not being able to participate in all their school activities, etc. The time she spent with her grandchildren was filled with games, cowboy shows, and trips to Old Tucson. She spent many hours praying for each of her grandchildren when she could not be with them and showered them with letters, cards, and gifts for every birthday and holiday.

Sharon was a member of the First Christian Church and had a deep and abiding faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She served actively on various committees and led the Tuesday Women’s Bible Study for 14 years. Her friendship with the “Sister Chicks” brought her much joy and comfort.

Sharon served her community as an active volunteer and lifetime member of the Integris Blackwell Regional Hospital as well as a volunteer for the Top of Oklahoma Historical Society Museum of which she was also a member.

She is survived by her children: Mark (Rita) Mumma of OKC, OK; Becky (Kevin) Curtis of Tucson, AZ, and Mike (Lori Chessler) DePriest of Santa Fe, NM; her grandchildren: Rachel (Jillian Besemer) DePriest of Trier, Germany; Margery DePriest of Austin, TX; Mitchell (Renee) Mumma of San Deigo, CA; Zach (Bethany) Mumma of OKC, OK; Kyle (Erica Canez) Curtis of Tucson, AZ; Matt (Victoria Nivison) Curtis of Tucson, AZ; Holt (Zoe) Curtis of Tucson, AZ; and Logan Curtis of Tucson, AZ; 5 great grandchildren: Hazel, Ezra, Mackenzie, Noli and Knoxley.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph DePriest, her parents, her sister Bonnie, and her two brothers: Jack and Larry.

Casket bearers will include Kyle Curtis, Logan Curtis, Zach Mumma, and Josh Morris. Serving as Honorary Casket Bearers are Matt Curtis, Holt Curtis, Mitchell Mumma, Rachel DePriest, and Margery DePriest.

A memorial has been established in her honor, for a Women’s Ministry Fund, at the First Christian Church-Blackwell, 306 E. Coolidge, Blackwell, OK 74631.

Source: Trout Funeral Home