Sharla R. Lafollette

Sharla Ruth LaFollette, age 72 of Stillwater, Oklahoma, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, in Oklahoma City. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 12, 2020 from 1pm-5pm at Dighton Marler Funeral Home. Due to the COVID-19 virus, there will only be a graveside service on Monday, April 13, 2020 at Fairlawn Cemetery. We ask that if you choose to attend this service you take all recommended precautions. A memorial for Sharla will be held at a later date when circumstances allow.
Born, August 29, 1947, in Stillwater, Oklahoma to Charles and Peggy (Potts) Prickett. She was the third born of seven children.
Sharla grew up northeast of Stillwater, and graduated from Morrison High School. She was a talented basketball player, cheerleader, Homecoming Queen, attended Girls State, and was FFA sweetheart.
She married Gary LaFollette on October 2, 1965, at Union Home Church in Glencoe. They had three children. Son Taz, who married Debbie Knost and they had Sharla’s only grandchild, Stephen. The twins, daughter Kerri and son Kris.
Sharla’s career began in medical transcription at Drumright Hospital. There she invented a coding shortcut for hospitals that was documented in the U.S. National Archives. A later move to Stillwater found her working in Prospect Management and Research for the Oklahoma State University Foundation for more than 20 years. She eventually finished her career in the same field at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City. Gary and Sharla returned to Stillwater after retiring.
Sharla was highly intelligent a life-long learner, and had many varied interests. She loved to travel the U.S. to visit family, friends, art museums and historical sites. Another interest was quilting, especially for her many nieces and nephews. She loved all kinds of crafting and fun projects. She was an avid reader, and never let a crossword puzzle get the better of her. She loved hosting watch parties for OSU Cowboy sports, and could coach through the TV every time. Sharla never met a roller coaster she didn’t love to ride. Again, and again, and again… Her favorite snacks were Jalapeno Cheetos and Frito Chili Pies.
She enjoyed giving back to the community by participating in Auxiliary Jaycees, Friends of the OSU Library, the OSU Alumni Association, Friends of Fairlawn, and the Fairlawn Preservation Society. There she volunteered every year for the Wreaths Across America Day.
Very family oriented, she was kind and thoughtful, and always put others before herself. She was passionate in all endeavors. The first to lend a hand, or offer encouragement and compassionate to all. Sharla mentored and encouraged young women throughout her family and community. And was involved in Beta Sigma Phi sorority.
Preceded in death by her sons, Taz LaFollette and Kris LaFollette. Father Charles Prickett, Paternal Grandparents Claude and Essie (Prickett) Tilley, Joe Tilley, Maternal grandparents Rachel Potts, Fred Potts, Sister Linda Cockrell, Niece Misty Cockrell, and Mother-in-Law Mary Lee LaFollette.
Survived by her husband, Gary LaFollette of Stillwater.
Daughter Kerri LaFollette of Stillwater. Grandson, Stephen LaFollette of Stillwater. Mother, Peggy Prickett of Perry. Siblings Lawton Brightwell (Judy) of Stillwater; Janice Dewell (Dave) of Tulsa; Kent Prickett (Carol) of Stillwater; Cindy Frame (Tony) of Duncan; Tammy Bevel (Mark) of Meridian, ID; Father-in-Law Garland LaFollette of Perry, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews that absolutely loved their “Aunt Sharbit”.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Fairlawn Cemetery Association c/o of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington St., Stillwater, Oklahoma 74075.
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com.