Sharon Lankford

The Most Interesting

Woman in the World

Family members and friends would agree that Sharon Marlene Lankford was the most uniquely humorous, bold and fearless, hilariously profane, old-fashioned and intensely principled person they've ever known.

At 5 feet, Sharon was not a tall woman. She did have, however, a supersized, outspoken, my-way-or-the-highway presence.

A native and longtime resident of Fresno, California, Sharon was born on May 7, 1946. As a child, she battled polio. She passed away on March 12, 2026 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Sharon was the mom of four kids: Gordon Lankford, Allison Dark, James Lankford (also known as Perry) and Marni Lankford.

Sharon was madly in love with her grandchildren: Jackson and Charlie (Allison's sons) and William (James' son).

While Sharon did have an inexplicably strong disdain for Eddy Arnold, she loved country music. As it was a constant in Sharon's home, it would become a beautiful influence on her kids: a knowledge and love of music.

Sharon's love of cats and dogs also influenced her children to make pets a staple in their lives. Some of the more memorable of Sharon's many, many pets were cats Ferdie, Casey, Snapper, Smuckers, Kumar and Kit Kat; and dogs Ruggie and Caesar.

Among the treasured Sharon memories shared by her kids and grandkids: Sharon's comedic "road rage" commentaries, directed at motorists who lacked common-sense driving skills.

There was her love of tennis, donuts, Winco grocery stores, breakfast sandwiches, The Food Network, singer-songwriter Jimmy Fortune, coconut pie, bottles of Cold Duck, a good cigar, Chinese buffets, walking Fulton Mall in Fresno, Kmart stores, Longs Drug Store and watering the lawn. Her mother always described Sharon as "a water bug."

The most well-known of Sharon's vehicles: a 1977 Chevy Nova with an extraordinarily loud horn that she would blast for miles after leaving Fourth of July parties at her sister's house,

Sharon was famous for her bierocks and strawberry pie, and she always made every holiday or party special with her homemade treats and decorations.

She was known by nicknames like Share Bear, The Bear and The Sheriff. Also, there was her Peaches nickname - a name that stuck after she once, as a young person, had no choice but to resort to using a peach as toilet tissue.

Sharon enjoyed gambling pursuits like Texas Hold 'Em, lottery tickets and penny slot machines. She would apply a heavy amount of hair spray - both to hold her style in place and to give her a little extra height.

For a decade, she was a carrier for the Fresno Bee newspaper.

There was an unwavering consistency on her fuel purchases: always $5.

All of our cousins regarded Sharon as their favorite aunt. She made sure that her nieces and nephews had a loving environment when they would come to visit. There are many fond memories of midnight barbecues and late-night music, followed by a 4 a.m. trip to a donut shop.

When making reference to a location, Sharon's signature statement was "it's off that a way." Her favorite furniture piece was a rocking chair.

A signature consistency in Sharon's living room: candy wrappers wedged between the couch cushions. When she would shop at Winco, Sharon typically was accompanied by Jackson and Charlie - tall grandsons who could reach items on the top shelf.

Sharon was beyond just interesting. She was selfless and would give her last dime to her children. She was never too proud to provide for her kids, and even stood in welfare lines during the most difficult of times.

There was a rough period during which Sharon, three of her kids and a cat lived in a car. She always found a way to be a good mom. She was there for every school function and sports event.

Sharon was so much more than the typical mother, and she deserved much more than she had. She was meant to be our mother, and we miss her terribly.

Sharon Marlene Lankford was an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind character who was loved by her family and friends. Sharon was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Josephine Roush; and by her precious oldest child, Gordon Lankford.

Sharon is survived by three children - Allison Dark, James Lankford and Marni Lankford; by grandchildren Jackson, Charlie and William; and by her sweet pups, Ralphie Nuggs and Baby.

Mom, you were right. It is a good day for potato soup.