Neva Sheridan Fenwick, a mother, sister, friend and lifelong companion, passed away after a sudden illness on Monday, Aug.3. She was 82.

Known as “Sandy” when she was a child, Sheridan was a World War II baby born in Dallas, Texas, on April 21, 1944, a daughter to newlyweds Grace and Ralph Fenwick. Before she was born, her father went away to serve as a Hospital Corpsman alongside the Marines throughout the South Pacific, and he would not see Sheridan until she was almost two years old. When he returned, the Navy would move the family frequently to bases from one coast to another, and eventually back to Oklahoma. The family finally settled down in Tulsa, where Sheridan came of age in the time depicted in “The Outsiders” novel, and graduated from Edison High School in 1962. Six months later, she would marry young ROTC student, Johnny Barbara, and became the wife of an Air Force test pilot. She raised two children, Katie and Donovan, on military bases throughout the United States.

In 1985, Johnny retired from the Air Force, and many changes happened for Sheridan. She went to college and really enjoyed taking many classes. After her divorce from Johnny, she moved to Norman, a town in which she said she had always dreamed of living. She took up roller blading and skated all through the town, wearing her trademark cut-off overalls. She attended concerts, built arts and crafts, and traveled. She enjoyed trips to England, Greece, and her beloved Ireland, where she visited Blarney Castle and kissed the Blarney Stone. Eventually, she met Anthony Hickmon and settled into a loving relationship that lasted more than three decades.

Sheridan was cheerful, kind, extroverted, and creative. She was a genius with decorating, especially the Americana/Mid-Century modern era. She loved classic movies and the glamorous stars of the 40’s and 50’s. Sheridan was friendly, talkative, and knew no strangers. She loved her quilts, her dogs, and her children. She was often a cut-up at holiday gatherings and loved telling family stories. She will leave a space that cannot be filled in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Sheridan was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brother Ralph Charles Fenwick, her infant daughter Maureen Grace, and her son, Donovan Scott Barbara. Sheridan is survived by her brothers Shawn Patrick and Ben Christopher Fenwick, her sister-in-law Shai Fenwick, her daughter Kathleen Marie Barbara, partner Anthony Hickmon, Amy and David Hickmon and their children Elvis and Isabella, and her beloved dogs Brownie and Scout.

Services to be announced at a later date.