Sharon LaNelle McQuay Hefley, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and
friend, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on March 15, 2023, after a long and brave battle with Parkinson’s disease. Sharon, a registered tribal member of the Choctaw Indian Nation, was born on May 14, 1942 and lived her early years in southeastern Oklahoma prior to her family moving to Amarillo, Texas.
She devoted many years of her life to early childhood education, and was a renowned consultant to many teachers in the Texas Panhandle with the Region XVI Education Service Center. She played a primary role in organizing the first annual statewide Early Childhood Teachers’ Conference, which was dedicated to providing quality educational training for all early childhood teachers in the state of Texas. Sharon lived her life to the fullest. She was an avid gardener, nature lover, and artist. She loved many kinds of gatherings and the night life! Sharon enriched and impacted countless peoples’ lives until the day she left this world, and will continue to do so.
She is survived by her daughter, Denise Williams, son John Hefley, Jr., granddaughters Melodie Hefley-Lankop, Harmonie Hefley-Lawson, of Amarillo, siblings, Karen Gail McQuay Jones, of San Francisco, California, Joseph Seth McQuay, Jr, of Shamrock, Texas, Joan Michelle McQuay Hodge, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Judith Irene McQuay Pepper, of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
A memorial to celebrate her life will be held at Amarillo Botanical Gardens on March 29th, 2023 beginning at 2 pm.  A come-and-go reception is to follow. The Amarillo Botanical Gardens is located at 1400 Streit Dr in Amarillo TX.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name can be made to the Windy Nicklaus Memorial Fund, with checks payable to:
Jan Werner Adult Daycare Center, 3108 S Fillmore St., Amarillo TX 79110
My sincere sympathy to the family. I remember Sharon from my days working at Region XVI when her sister, Judith, hired me as the ECI secretary. Sharon’s personality was so vibrant and she was so good at everything she did. I am privileged to have known her.
Sharon Owens
Sharon was a beautiful woman, full of life and was one of the most determined person I have ever met. It was a pleasure to have known and loved her.
I loved you so much Sharon! You were always such an elegant lady! Man we had some good times together didn’t we! I’ll miss you!
Marsha Hughes
What a beautiful, classy, supportive friend Sharon was to me, and to so many. I treasure two pieces of beautiful art created by Sharon. She is free at last.
I knew Sharon through her sister Judith. What lovely and caring example she was to everyone around her! She will always be remembered and missed!
Sharon was one of the sweetest and most pleasant people to grace our world.
I could not have had a better friend. She is missed. I send my sympathies to her family and friends.
Sharing with a friend and a colleague, is my honor to work with her!!
I am so sorry for the your loss. Your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers
I will miss you forever, Sharon!! You were such a good friend to me!! Fly high my beautiful friend—I’ll see you again someday.