Shari Richardson
August 14, 1940 - January 23, 2026
Shari Richardson went to be with her Lord and savior on January 23, 2026, in Ponca City, OK. Viewing will be held between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday, January 30, 2026, at Trout Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene. Burial will immediately follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, Ok, 74601.
Sharon “Shari” Kay (Surls) Richardson was born on August 14, 1940, in Cherokee, Iowa, to Virginia Ware and Christopher “Roy” Surls. At the age of two, she moved with her family to Prentice, Wisconsin, where they lived until she was seven. The family then moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma, where Shari grew up. She had three sisters and one brother.
In the 10th grade, Shari met Thomas Clark “Tommy” Richardson. In her words, “We were sweethearts from that day forward.” Shari and Tommy were married on December 23, 1958, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Shortly after, Tommy joined the U.S. Navy, and the couple moved to Bremerhaven, Germany.
In 1961, they welcomed their first child, Julie. In 1962, Shari and Tommy returned to the United States by Navy ship and settled back in Ponca City. In 1963, their son, Theodore “Teddy” Richardson, was born.
Shari began working for City Service in 1966. Later, the family moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where Tommy worked for Southwestern Bell. Shari and Tommy moved to Tulsa before returning in 1973 where they began building their home in Osage County. That same year, Shari found her lifelong best friend, Gwen Leake. Shari went to work for Bell Credit Union, where she faithfully served for 19 years before retiring. In 1999, she worked as Treasurer at St. Luke's Church of the Nazarene, until her time of passing.
Shari enjoyed cross-stitching, doing ceramics with Jerry Altman, and selling their crafts at area craft fairs. She also loved bowling, gardening, and spending time at lunches with her “Ladies of St. Luke’s.”
She is survived by her husband; Tommy Richardson, children; Julie Nicoson,and husband Dean, Theodore “Ted” Richardson and wife Jan, and Lisa Hopkins; grandchildren Tyler and Jessica Richardson, Chelsea Rein, Ashley Rein, and Abby Snow; and great-grandchildren Teagan, Ellie, Paxton, Loran, Autum, Phoxix, McKayla, and Oliver.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and Christopher Surls; her brother, Michael Surls; her sisters, Barbara Edwards, Donna Palmer, and Debra Clark; her beloved best friend, Gwen Leake; and her granddaughter, Heather Rein.
Shari will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her strong work ethic, her creativity, and her warm, faithful friendships. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and service that will be cherished by all who knew her.
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