Sharlene Hammons

Sharlene Hammons, longtime Seminole, Oklahoma resident, passed from this life on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at the age of 101. Sharlene was born on April 14, 1921 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Charles R. Cox and Ellen (Harbison) Cox. Sharlene spent her first years in Shawnee and then moved to Seminole with her parents in 1934. Sharlene started high school at Seminole High School and graduated in 1938. Sharlene continued her education at Seminole Junior College, where she graduated in 1940. After graduating from Seminole Junior College, she worked as a registrar and as a secretary to long-time Seminole Public Schools administrator O.D. Johns.

In 1942 she married Baxter Hammons in Seminole. Baxter preceded her in death on October 7, 1999. Sharlene and Baxter lived in Rhode Island for four years while Baxter served in the Armed forces.  They returned home after his time in the service to operate the third-generation family-owned business, Hammons Men’s Wear, in downtown Seminole.

Sharlene was very active in numerous community activities. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Seminole, where she served as curriculum secretary and Sunday school teacher for many years. She was a past president of the United Methodist Women’s organization and served as secretary-treasurer of the Maple Grove Cemetery Association. For over 50 years she was a member of the Modern Literature Club. She was also a member of the Seminole Arts Council, Chapter CL PEO, Seminole Historical Society, Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum Board, Seminole Chamber of Commerce and Friends of the Library. Sharlene also served a two-year term on the Seminole Hospital Board. In 2004 she was inducted into the Seminole State College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Sharlene is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Barbara and Joe Kernke of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, her daughter Celia Hammons of the home in Seminole, seven grandchildren, several great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by daughters Kay Lambert and Nancy Mallory.

The family has planned a private burial at Maple Grove Cemetery on Saturday, December 10, 2022. Following her burial, there will be a Celebration of Life Service at 1:30 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church at 910 West Wrangler Blvd. in Seminole, with Rev. Lamarla Cook officiating the service.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.