Sara Catherine Shackelford

Sara grew up and lived in Tulsa for 42 years, attending Will Rogers High School and Tulsa University. She was a cheerleader and honor roll student. Her mother had wanted a little old fashioned girl who made good grades and played the organ for the church. Sara said she was all those things except the “old fashioned” part. She was church organist for 26 years at Crowell Heights Baptist Church, Tulsa. Sara worked for Bank of Oklahoma for 15 years and became a Vice President in charge of Professional Banking.

She met Leon Shackelford in her early years, and they stayed friends for many years, marrying in 1985 at which time she moved to Houston, Texas to be with him. Leon said the church people wouldn't even talk to him after they learned he was moving their long time organist away to Houston.

In Houston Sara lived what she described as a fairy-tale life with Leon. She loved her aerobic dancing classes and friends, did volunteer work, was an avid sports fan. They traveled extensively, and their favorite place was Cayman Islands where they retreated every year, sometimes for weeks and even months at a time. They were happily married for 34 years, until Leon's passing in 2019.

She is preceded in death by both parents, brothers, Bill Wantuck and Otto Wantuck; and son Mark Shackelford.

Sara is survived by son Mark Davis, daughter-in-law Twila, and grandson Nick of Houston. Sara is also survived by sister in law Roma Jo Wantuck, niece Jody and Jeff Dyke all of Charlotte, NC; nephew David Wantuck, Midland, Texas; daughter Kelli Shackelford Jones, grandchildren Krysten Jones and Keith Jones all of Westlake Village, CA; sister-in-law Nancy Shackelford Spangler, husband Mike, and their son Scott Montgomery, Grand Junction, Colorado; nephews Bill Wantuck and Lisa, College Station, Texas and Tom Wantuck and Candy, Ocala, Fl.

A visitation for Sara will be held Friday, January 13, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077. A committal service will occur Friday, January 13, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 13, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077.

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