Sharon Martin was born in Ada, Oklahoma on December 11, 1944 and died in Tulsa on August 20, 2020. Although she had lived in Tulsa since 1976, Sharon always considered herself an "Ada Girl." She was the second of three daughters born to Bill and Marion Castleberry who were themselves longtime residents of Ada. Bill and Marion and Sharon's older sister, Karen Miller, have all passed away and now they are all together rejoicing in Heaven.

Surviving members of her family include her husband of 49 years, Jerry; their children Brooke, Clay and Josh; and her baby sister Billie Ann Baucom. Her grandchildren, who were, of course, the apples of her eye, are McKenzie and Chase Martin, the children of Clay and his wife Shannon; Mac and Maebry Martin, the children of Josh and his wife Kaelee; and Mikey Lenahan, the son of Brooke and her husband Michael. Family was one of Sharon's greatest joys in life and she cared for each of them with a love that knew no bounds.

Sharon grew up in a Christian home and sometimes referred to herself as "a card carrying Southern Baptist girl". Following the examples of her parents, Bill and Marion, she could be found serving her church and her Lord "whenever the doors were open." She set the same kind of example for her children and it was indeed a rare Sunday when she could not be seen singing joyfully in the choir at First Baptist Church, Tulsa. Music was a vital part of who and what she was.

She graduated from East Central State University with a major in elementary education, moved to Tulsa and in 1967, began a career as a teacher. She had a genuine passion for teaching and the positive impact she had on the lives of countless numbers of first and fourth graders cannot be overstated. After teaching there for over 20 years, Sharon retired from Robert S. Kerr Elementary in 2008. She was the recipient of many awards and even better, she was loved and respected by her students.

As a teacher and a strong supporter of public education, she was constantly involved in PTA and other essential school activities. By nature, a warm and friendly person, she never met a stranger and had a definite gift for making everyone feel welcome. Bunco was another of her passions and she played with two groups of "Bunco Babes" for over 40 years.

About 7 years ago, the cruel onset of Alzheimer's disease began the slow and inexorable theft of joy from her life. Of course, she resisted it as best as she could, but for the past 15 months she had resided at the Linden, a memory care center. But even there in her diminished capacity, she brought some light and even laughter to those around her. Sharon was one of those rare people who make our world a better place simply by being here.

A memorial service will be held at Tulsa's First Baptist Church on Friday, August 28 at 2:00 pm. Donations can be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association.
Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233