On the 5th day of July, 1955, Glenn and Josephine [Manuel] Ward, Jr., celebrated the birth of a baby girl in Okmulgee. She was given the name Sherry Elaine.

Better known as "Tootsie" to all who knew her, she grew up in Okmulgee, where she attended the Okmulgee Public Schools, graduating from Okmulgee High with the Class of 1973. She met and married Kenneth Deckard and their love produced 2 daughers.


"Tootsie" furthered her education at Oklahoma State Tech, where she earned a degree to work as a Medical Secretary. For many years, she worked for Okmulgee Land and Title, later becoming licensed as a Real Estate agent through Caldwell Bankers and finally, employment with Direct TV.


Sherry was family oriented and enjoyed time with her family. She had a special interest in sewing, decorating, planting flowers and family games. During conversation, she would always conclude by saying "and stuff." She was always willing to give a joke to make everyone laugh. She loved her family and was deeply loved by them, especially her daughters and grandchildren.


On the 27th day of August, 2011, Sherry Elaine Deckard, after 56 years, "moved from Earth to Everlasting." She was preceded in death by her father, grandparents and other relatives.


She leaves in God's care; her daughters, LaTosha Oliver [Willie] and Tanisa Marshall [Bryan], all of Jacksonville, Florida; her mother, Josephine Ward, Okmulgee, Oklahoma; 3 brothers, Mark Ward and Darryl Ward [Clarissa], Dallas, Texas and Gerald Ward, Okmulgee, Oklahoma; 6 grandchildren; along with a caravan of other relatives and friends.

The Service of Memory for "Tootsie" will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 3:00 PM in the Saint Matthew Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Okmulgee Cemetery.

You may visit "Tootsie" as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home in Okmulgee on Friday from 12 Noon until 6 PM. Friends are encouraged to share remarks and visit with the family during the Wake from 6 PM until 7 PM in the Chapel of Peace.