Sharon Ben-Lord Goldie

Sharon was born December 26, 1939 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to John Lloyd Keeth and Ethel Delphine Walker Durkee. She loved the diverse terrains and scenery throughout Oklahoma, and the knowledge that her father helped to plan and build many of the roads in Oklahoma City. She also was proud that her father was the mascot, “Charlie 89”, for the Oklahoma 89er’s baseball team.

In 1959, while attending Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, Sharon met and married USAF Serviceman, Ray Edwin Blanton, Jr. Together, the two explored various countries and cultures throughout the world. While living in Azores, Portugal and during her other times of traveling, Sharon learned to embrace differences in people, their beliefs, and their worldviews. Together they were blessed with four children: Ray, Ron, Teri, and Yancy.

Due to some unfortunate circumstances beyond her control, Sharon became a single parent to her four preteen and teenage children. She later met Bobby Joe Goldie and on June 12, 1980 they married. Through this union, the couple were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Alisa.

Sharon held a number of government jobs including: Federal Energy Commission Investigator, Internal Revenue Services Auditor, and ending her career with over 25 years of service with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services in various divisions. No matter where she was working, she always sought do her job well, thus developing a strong work ethic. Sharon also encouraged others to work to their fullest potential and advance in their education and profession.

Sharon, known as “Goldie” to many, was a lover of people and animals. She followed in her father’s footsteps and enjoyed spending a great deal of time ministering to shut-ins, visiting children in the hospital, and helping people in the community feel included, valued, and seen. She often opened her home to those who needed a good meal or a temporary place to stay. When Sharon loved someone, she never gave up on them. She pushed them to follow their dreams and reach beyond them.

Sharon strongly identified with St. Francis of Assisi in God’s calling to care for animals. Throughout her life, she rescued an abundance of animals… dogs, cats, birds, fish, ducks, iguanas, bunnies… it didn’t matter the species.

Sharon loved to celebrate life in a BIG and BOLD manner. She was a VERY creative and resourceful woman who loved to dress up, decorate her home, dance, sing, host parties, or have impromptu potlucks. She literally could turn something beautiful out of very little. She was known to be a feisty individual who spoke her mind freely and often, usually to push others to greatness. To many, Sharon was also seen as a balancing force in a world full of craziness and chaos. But most importantly, she is remembered for loving people where they were and helping to point them in a more positive direction in their life.

The proudest moments in Sharon’s life were the birth of her children and subsequent grand and great grandchildren. She loved to celebrate their success and challenges. She would tell anyone who would listen, that she was often in awe of her family member’s accomplishments. She felt inspired and encouraged by the various generations that compose her family.

One of the last instructions that Sharon gave to her family was to not only love each other well, but love Jesus more. She did not want her friends and family to mourn her death, but rather, celebrate her life in Christ. She was often heard telling her children, “the moment of my death, I will be dancing with the Father, and thanking Him for the gift given to all through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus”.

Sharon was preceded in death by her mother, father, brother, sister-in-law, both husbands and a nephew.

Surviving relatives include her five children and their spouses: Ray (Cathy) Blanton, Ron (Lisa) Blanton, Teri Blanton, Yancy Philips, and Alisa (Jeff) Kissel; eight grandchildren: Ryan, Heather, Rachel, Edee, Amanda, John Paul, Grant, and Blake; four great grandchildren: Cate, Eddie, Jameson, and Henry; all of her furred and feathered babies; and the host of “adopted” family and friends she gathered throughout her life.

Inurnment and Catholic Rite of Burial Ceremony will be at Memorial Park Cemetery 13313 North Kelly Oklahoma City, OK 73131on May 13, 2023 at 1:00 pm.

Additionally, the family would like to invite friends of Sharon and her family for a Celebration of Life (time to share memories about Sharon) immediately following the burial at the Baptist Children’s Home 16301 South Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73170.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the following charities that were meaningful to Sharon: The Barracks Veterans Center, Muskogee, OK; St. Ann Parish, Coppell, TX; Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, Oklahoma City, OK; Humane Society, USA; and The Salvation Army, USA.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemorialParkOKC.com for the Goldie family.