Sharon Kaye Pond (Woods)

Sharon Kaye Woods Pond was born on July 12, 1943 to Helen Reimer Friesen in Clinton Oklahoma.  She passed away on December 22, 2023 in Yukon, OK.  

Sharon spent most of the early years of her life on the family farm near Cordell, Ok with her grandfather and grandmother, who she called “mom and dad”.  Her favorite playmates, beside the barn cats and her horse Sandy, were her aunt Lou and aunt Jane.  While Sharon’s eleven aunts, uncles and mother were expected to do chores and other things on the farm it soon became apparent that Sharon was the darling child and often treated with great favor!

Sharon’s teen years were spent in Oklahoma City with her mom and step-dad, Herman Friesen.  Sharon attended Harding High School thru her junior year.  While in Oklahoma City she worked as a nanny for the Heenan’s.

Sharon met and married her first husband, Corbett Estep when she was 17.  Corbett was in the military and so Sharon was able to see much of the US as they were moved from place to place, living in New Orleans, Illinois, Georgia, and Texas.

Sharon and her second husband, Audy Donelson, who worked for Braniff Airlines.  They lived in Oklahoma City and later Dallas and were able to visit many destinations such as New York and Hawaii.  While in Dallas they would often have Audy’s daughter and Sharon’s sister fly to Dallas and take them to six flags and other entertainment spots.  On one occasion the girls showed an interest in all the little airline liquor bottles so Sharon thought it would be a safe place for them to have a taste of the liquor, with the expected results!

Sharon’s work career was diverse.   Her favorite job, and the one she talked about often was working the counter at Hertz car rental in the Will Rogers airport.  This was in the early sixties and she met several celebrities when they came to Oklahoma City.  Sharon also worked as an apartment manger at several location where she met many life-long friends.

Sharon loved family above all. Sharon did not have children of her own she loved all he step- children, younger cousins, and sister as her own.  Her babies where her dogs.  She always had one or two dogs by her side.  Sharon kept in touch with her extended family though cards and mail until her death.

Sharon was a very generous, caring person.  She would give you her last dollar, but probably not her last coke, lol.  She loved to wear the most colorful and sparkly clothing.  She surrounded herself with anything Coke Cola.  Sharon was very much a larger than life being, especially to her younger sister.

Sharon spent the last four years of her life at Heritage Assisted Living.  She had many friends in the staff and residents.  Her daily activities included playing dominos and bingo, making sure everyone had a coke to drink as they played.  She also enjoyed the weekly trip to Wal-Mart where she would purchase a new outfit or two, then called Jerri because she needed more cokes or other items.

Sharon is proceeded in death by her third husband Gerold Pond, her mother Helen Friesen and her step-dad Herman Friesen.

She is survived by her sister, Jerri Kelly, and husband Patrick (never Pat from Sharon).  Her nephews Eric and Adam Kelly, their wives, Kami and Chris and great nieces and great nephew, Addi, Cora, Daniel, and Elena.  Her life-long playmates, champions and aunts, Lou Donham, her son Rob and Jane Beck as well as many cousins.

Services will be held at Crown Heights United Methodist Church, 1021 NW 37, OKC,  on Saturday, January 6^th at 11:00 AM.  Her ashes will be buried at the Herold Mennonite Church, that her grandfather founded, near Corn OK, the date is pending.

Donations can be made to Crossroads Hospice or Heritage Assisted Living.