Sharon Murray

SHARON MURRAY

Sharon Elizabeth Schultz Murray passed peacefully from this life on Jan. 13, 2022. Born Sept. 21, 1937 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Joseph and Marcine Schultz (Whitaker). Truly a lady in every sense of the word, she also was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Throughout her life she was kind and loving to all who made her acquaintance.

Sharon taught herself to play the piano at an early age and loved the “old-time” hymns. She went to college at OSU when it was Oklahoma A & M College, having obtained a Choir scholarship while in high school. After 2 semesters, she married the love of her life, Lonnie Murray, whom she met in church when she was 8 years old and he 11. Perhaps the deciding factor for marriage was how well she could fry chicken!

Sharon and Lonnie loved to go square dancing in the early 60’s and were very social with family and friends. Sharon especially loved spending time with her sisters, Mom, Aunt Mary, and her Grandmother Whitaker. She was spiritual and knew her Bible cover to cover. One of her favorite sayings was “Calling all Angels”!

Married to Lonnie almost 52 years, they first made their home in Oklahoma City and later in 1968 bought a beautiful old home and farm east of Shawnee.

Sharon’s career began as so many working women of the 50’s, as a telephone operator with Southwestern Bell. After her children were born and school-age, she went on to work for FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) where she met one of her longest life-long friends, Betty Lane. The Murrays and the Lanes spent every Sat. night together for the next 45 years sharing a meal and playing cards and dominoes. After FAA, Sharon learned of an opportunity at Dulaney’s, the RCA Whirlpool distributorship for the state of Oklahoma by way of neighbor MaryAnn Hightower who was employed there. Sharon hired on as a bookkeeper and she and MaryAnn spent the next 35 years carpooling to work and back. At Dulaney’s, Sharon climbed the corporate ladder where she retired as Advertising Manager. Sharon and Lonnie took many beautiful trips with Sharon’s coworkers; among them Rome, London, Hawaii, and several cruises. 

As the eldest of 5, Sharon was a talented homemaker as well, crafting through her precise seamstress skills anything from men’s western shirts to costumes and wedding dresses. She would design her own patterns on old paper grocery bags. She was also true to her ability to fry chicken and hosted many Sunday dinners and all holiday meals with family were held in her home. Sharon and Lonnie were labeled the “glue” of the family. “Granny” loved her family more than words could ever express.

Sharon was preceded in death by husband Lonnie, her parents, brother J. Michael Schultz, and brother-in-law Steve Murray. Remaining to honor her legacy: son David (Marcy) Murray, Shawnee, daughter Lonita Murray, Earlsboro; grandchildren Matthew (Amanda) Murray, Kyle Murray, Lucas (Anne) Anderson, and Audrey Anderson; great grandchildren YouennJosselin, Makenzie Cox, Reylli and William McEntee, Ronan Anderson, and Graham and Monroe Murray. Also left to cherish her memory are sisters Nola, Judy, and Margaret, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and first cousins Bill and Sophie Whitaker.

There will be a private family Memorial held at a later date.

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