Sheila Sue Sanchez

Sheila Sue Sanchez, age 74, and former resident of Henryetta, passed away peacefully at home in Glenpool on July 20, 2021 after a prolonged and courageous battle with COPD and cancer. Born in Richmond, California to Theresa (McAdams) Klump and Emory Dye, she was the oldest of seven children.

Sheila grew up in California, where she met and fell in love with the father of her children, John Sanchez. Sheila ultimately settled near her father in Henryetta, Oklahoma after her split from John. She never remarried. During her life, Sheila always persevered and worked hard, displaying strength, grit and determination in every challenge she faced. Sheila tremendously enjoyed the relationships she built with coworkers and clients over 20 years serving as Activities Director to the developmentally disabled residents at Lake Drive Nursing Home in Henryetta. She later enjoyed serving many homebound residents before her progressing COPD and its complications made it impossible to do so. Sheila loved to watch crime dramas, true crime shows, and the gameshow network, and loved the Reader’s Digest and brain-game workbooks. Sheila was a member of the Okmulgee Kingdom Hall. After becoming a baptized Jehovah’s Witness she attended the congregation in Okmulgee where she never missed a service, even as her health declined and the meetings were moved to Zoom. There she made many dear friends who cherished her warm smile she readily shared, her comments, and her joy of singing. As an avid reader, she loved to read the Bible and Watchtower publications, and was always delighted to share what she learned with others, which never failed to encourage.

Sheila was preceded in death by her mother Theresa Klump, father Emory Dye, brothers Larry Dye and Alan Dye, sisters Eileen Dye and Nadine Petty, and estranged husband John Sanchez.

We want to extend a special thanks to all of the friends and family who called, visited and sent letters and cards during Sheila’s prolonged illness, and to the many emergency, ICU and other medical personnel who performed miracles along her journey. A very special thanks to Jan Miles for taking such fantastic care of Sheila for many years and for becoming a true friend, and to the Accentra Home Health skilled nursing, respiratory, and hospice teams for their excellent care, guidance and friendship-especially during the latter part of Sheila’s time here with us.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday July 30, 2021, and a memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday July 31, 2021 with Brother Lee Caywood officiating via Zoom at Integrity funeral service.

Zoom credentials for those uncomfortable attending the memorial service in person: Meeting ID: 2676077275; Passcode: 1914