Sherry Blevins

Sherry Ivonne Blevins, longtime Ponca City resident, passed away Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Shawn Manor Nursing Home, while recuperating after a long illness. She was 85 years old; however, those who know her would say she was that young.

She was born Sherry Ivonne Matthews in Wilmington, North Carolina, on September 2, 1937, to Joliet Dalton Matthews and Evelyn Ruth Guthrie-Matthews. Sherry fondly remembered trips to the beach with her mother.

Sherry married her husband of 50 years, Jackie Gene “Jack” Blevins in 1957 in North Carolina. He was from Mooreland, Oklahoma, and they made their home in the Ponca City community, raising a son and a daughter, Kim Jackie and Cheryle Jean.

Sherry always loved beauty and especially fixing the hair of others. She attended the Vogue Institute of Beauty Culture and Hair Styling in Richmond, Virginia, graduating in 1955. Later, she attended Ponca City Beauty College along with her best friend Connie Sheffield, graduating in 1968.

Many in Ponca City will remember being at the hands of Sherry to style their hair either in a beauty shop, such as the one owned by Elaine Thompson, where she said she learned more about the craft from Elaine than at any school, or later in her own home salon.

Sherry had fanatical fun with her animals, and she never forgot them. She continued to tell stories about all those she had loved: her dogs, Anheuser, a dachshund; Roger, a German Shepherd; and Moto, a Rat Terrier; and cats, Chanel, Jade and Sadie Ray. After losing Sadie Ray, her last cat, she befriended a squirrel in her backyard that she named Redbud, and fed daily. Sherry loved all her animals.

Sherry also loved people, and everyone knew it. She made friends in all avenues of her life. Her next-door neighbor Connie Sheffield was a lifelong friend, and their children grew up together with the two women and the fun they brought to life. She also became dear friends with Sue Meek after their husbands developed a friendship. The two women maintained their friendship the rest of their lives.

In later years, Sherry called the children and grandchildren of Marlys and Todd (Connie’s children) her “greatkids” because she so enjoyed time with them, and they loved her.

All of the friends of Kim and Cheryle became part of her family and were always in their home, and even as adults many still came by to see her. Sherry was just the type of person who had an endearing quality that drew everyone to her. She will not be forgotten.

Sherry requested no service be held after her death. Cheryle and Kim ask that, instead, you gather with family and friends who knew Sherry and tell the many stories you have that make you smile and, more than likely, laugh in her memory. We all know there are more than enough of those to fill hours of reminiscence in her honor.

Sherry is survived by a son, Kim Jackie Blevins and a daughter, Cheryle Jean Blevins, both of Ponca City; a stepdaughter, Debbie Jean Kinney and husband Ed of Woodward, OK, and her sons Jeremy Pinkley and Levi Pinkley; and many friends who are considered family and will miss her as such.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Blevins; her father Joliet Matthews; her mother Evelyn Guthrie-Matthews; and her special Aunt Margaret and Uncle Billy.

Interment will be in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Sherry’s honor to your choice of: Ponca City Police Foundation, 200 E. Oklahoma, Ponca City OK 74601; or Woof Pet Rescue Society Inc., P.O. Box 1389, Woodward OK 73802; or Northern Oklahoma Humane Society, 900 W. Prospect Ave, Ponca City OK 74601.