Sharlene "Sue" Dillard

Sharlene Sue Scott Dillard, 89, passed away on May 29, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was born on August 28, 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri, at St. Luke's Hospital, to Harold Clark Scott and Wanda Naomi Murphey Scott. Sue attended Mt. Carmel Academy in Wichita, Kansas, and graduated from Carlsbad High School. She attended Eastern New Mexico University, pursuing a degree in nursing, and received an Associates of Arts degree. In 1954, she was crowned Maid of Cotton Queen at ENMU.
Sue married Norman "Norm" Richard Dillard on August 19, 1955, in Carlsbad, New Mexico. She became a Christian and was baptized at First Baptist Church, Portales, when she was a sophomore in college. Before leaving New Mexico to move to Oklahoma, she worked as a legal secretary for the District Attorney in Portales. Once settled in Oklahoma, Sue continued working as a legal secretary for a local attorney and for the TG&Y corporation. She often said, "That was my favorite job, ever!" In the early 1970s, Sue was hired by Putnam City Public Schools to work first at Putnam City West High School and later for the district Administrative Personnel Office. She loved her time there and was sad to have to leave to care for her mother and aunt.
Sue and her family were long time active members of Baptist Temple Church in Oklahoma City. One of her favorite mission projects was helping with the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children Annual Style Show fundraiser. She was also very busy with church banquets, Bible school and hosting visiting missionaries in her home.
Sue loved to cook, bake, paint, craft, ice skate, decorate for holidays, shop and drink coffee! Fall was her favorite season and it was never too early to set out pumpkins, leaves and spiced candles. She pined for the sound of ocean waves; she loved collecting sea shells and the feel of sand between her toes. She LOVED ALL HER CATS. (Meow, meow.)
Sue had the most gentle and compassionate spirit and everyone loved spending time with her. She found the positive aspect in every situation and she made you feel important and special. She had a very fun sense of humor. She could be a little ornery, by her own admission; she loved a good joke and she could tell a few as well! She was a people person and she loved to laugh and have a good time with friends and family. She always gave us hugs and kisses, both at hellos and goodbyes.
Sue adored her boys; they truly were the light of her life. She and Norm beamed with pride at the exceptional Christian men and fathers Rick and Mike became. They also were so thrilled with their precious grandchildren: three Dillard boys to carry on the family name and one "Real Dillard Girl." Then when great-grandchildren arrived, they were simply overjoyed.
Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Norman R. Dillard, and her first born son, Rick W. Dillard. She is survived by her son, Mike, "My baby," she always said, who was totally devoted to caring for and ministering to both of his parents during the last several years of their lives.
Other family survivors include: Joni, Mike's wife; daughter in law, Cathy Dillard Byrum and her husband Ronnie; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Derick and his family: Jill, Israel, Sam, and Freddy; Dan and his family: Deena, Jaxon, Brady, and Maddox; Tara Dillard Palmer and her family: Jake and Nova; Tony and his family: Paige, Noah, and Eden.
The remaining Dillard family is committed to honoring Norm and Sue's legacy by living out and sharing our Christian faith and our service to mankind.
The family will receive guests at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service from 9:00-11:00am prior to the service on Monday. Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, June 9 at Mercer-Adams Chapel.