Sharon Knowles
Knowles
Sharon Isabel Sigler Knowles, affectionately known as “ShiShi,” born to Della and John Sigler on May 22, 1942, grew up in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, where she also received her high school diploma. She met the love of her life while visiting a friend in Weatherford, Oklahoma, who happened to be a waitress at the restaurant her soon-to-be fiancé owned. Her friend fell ill so Sharon, in an effort to protect her friend’s job security, agreed to work her shift at the restaurant. Her employment was short-lived, as she spilled a Coke on a patron’s mink coat, but there was more cookin’ that night. Despite the costly waitress malfunction, Jim (Rev. James Knowles) was smitten and asked her on a date the next night. Their affection blossomed into a whirlwind romance, and they were married on October 14, 1960, almost a year later.
Their adventurous spirit, thirst for knowledge, and love of travel led them to Springfield, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. While in California, Sharon found her calling as she pursued a degree in Psychology attending UCLA and Berkley, which also fueled her passion for protesting and advocating for women’s rights and gender and racial equality. But her true life’s calling began while they were living in Portland when she gave birth to their daughter, Heather Renee, on April 26, 1969. Heather became Sharon’s best friend and sidekick in all things, perfectly dressed in ruffles and lace no matter the occasion. Sharon’s commitment to family brought their west coast adventure to a close and moved them to Seminole, Oklahoma, to care for ailing parents. Jim and Sharon approached this new chapter in their life with the same energy and charisma as they approached all things. They reimagined Lucille’s/ American Youth children’s store, immersed themselves in local politics and the school system, and facilitated the advent of the Seminole PTA and Jim’s time as the mayor of Seminole.
Continuing her lifelong devotion to others, Sharon joined the team at Tri-City Substance Abuse Center as a drug and alcohol therapist. In this role, Sharon touched countless lives with her ability to empathize and relate to her clients. She used her sharp wit and humor to disarm, build rapport and—most importantly— trust, which is not easy in small town. Sharon had the ability to “see” and “know” someone within minutes. She could see the good, the bad, the ugly, the past, present and future in everyone she met and loved them to perfection, championing their next best steps in life no matter how big or small. She was a truly gifted therapist, so much so that she was named Counselor of the Year in 2010 by the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselors Association.
ShiShi loved to dance, and she was always at the center of every party! She connected with any new faces effortlessly in a way that left them better for having met her. She loved to watch and talk sports. Many were grateful to have the opportunity to watch a game with her and witness her competitive nature take over. She loved to vacation with friends and family. She cared about and respected the opinions of others and was always available for a chat. She loved to talk politics and eat the finest food but never at the same time. She loved animals. They brought so much comfort and joy to her life. To be one of ShiShi’s “fur babies” was something very special. But above all, she loved all things Heather.
To those who knew her, ShiShi was the most loyal person, and her devotion to the underdog, whomever it may have been, serves as her legacy for those who’ve survived her.
Sharon was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Reverend James Knowles, and her parents Della and John Sigler, her brother and sister-in-law, Buddy and Linda Sigler, and her nephew Matthew Sigler. She is survived by her daughter, Heather Knowles, her nephew and his wife, JJ and Neeley Sigler, and their children, Braiden, Wyatt and Weston, and her great niece, Abby Sigler.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate her life on March 9, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church in Ardmore. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Whirlwind Mission of the Holy Family (1000 East Russworm Drive, Watonga, OK, 73772) or your local humane society in honor of ShiShi.
Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.