November 9, 1962 to Clarence
Whittenberg. She wasraised in the TexasPanhandle before movingto Oklahoma at the age of
later graduated from ShawneeHigh School in 1981.Melinda was a vibrant, strong, patient, and lovingwoman. She demonstrated these qualities through hercommitment to her Christian faith, the love she heldfor her sons and family, her sense of humor that sawher through tough times, and the unwavering love andsupport for her husband, Gary Sharum.Melinda devoted over 25 years to Mercy Hospitalwhere she excelled in her career within the HumanResources division. She worked her way to the role ofDirector in Fort Smith, Arkansas, was promoted toExecutive Director in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and laterserved as Executive Director in Oklahoma City. Whileenjoying success in her career, Melinda obtained herBachelor’s degree in Human Resource Managementin February 2019, which was a personal goal of hers.Melinda loved the people she worked with and usedher talents to bring people together, instilling in them alove for life, loyalty, friendship, commitment, anda love for God. Melinda always looked out for otherswith love and kindness and developed many lifelongfriendships over the years.Melinda enjoyed many hobbies. In her spare time, onecould find her baking sweet treats, tending to herplants, soaking up sun by the pool, reading, crocheting,playing with her ornery doodle, Stella, and playingboard games or working puzzles with her family.People loved to listen to Melinda tell stories, especiallywhen she did impersonations. She had the gift ofhospitality, opening her home to anyone and makingsure her food pantry was always stocked. And ofcourse, she loved her Oklahoma Sooners. No mattertheactivity, she was always a joy to be around.Melinda passed peacefully on July 31, 2022 after acourageous battle with cancer, surrounded by lovedones who will strive to honor her legacy.Melinda is preceded in death by her parents, Clarenceand Waunetta Whittenberg. She is survived by herhusband, Gary Sharum, her sons, Robby (Scott)Williams, Brady Williams, and Zach Williams andtheirspouses, Tanner, Alisha, and Emma, respectively, herstepson, Neal Sharum and his wife, Tiffany Sharum,her stepdaughter, Lindsey Sharum, and hergrandchildren, Gannon, Parker, Jude, Addie, Jax, andCamden.She is also survived by her siblings, Maurice (Mo)Whittenberg and Marianne Whittenberg Hudson, hernephew, Nate Totten, and her nieces, Kelsey McBride,Bayli Werner, and Rebecca Whittenberg.Melinda’s memorial service will be held Friday,August 5th at 1:00 p.m. at Metropolitan Bible ChurchinOklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, the family requeststhat donations be made in Melinda’s name to MercyHealth Foundation’s Oklahoma City Cancer Careproject
