Ann Shomber

Doris Ann Shomber left her earthly vale and was welcomed by her Heavenly Father on November 11, 2023. Ann was born on May 14, 1935 in Rosalia, Kansas, and then raised by an extended family in El Dorado, Kansas (as she would say, properly pronounced “El Do-RAY- do”). She attended all grades of school in El Dorado and married Gary L. Shomber her high school sweetheart; Ann and Gary would remain married as the love of each other’s lives for 66 years.

Ann and Gary’s best laid plans were interrupted when Gary was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War, but Ann, pregnant with her first child, persistently followed Gary to his assignment to the 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, in Tacoma, Washington.

After the Army, Gary and Ann returned to El Dorado, where Gary matriculated at Wichita State University and Ann at the closer El Dorado Community College, so as to be nearer to her growing family. She and Gary continued to raise their children in El Dorado until Gary’s job with GMAC relocated the family to Oklahoma City.

In 1974, Ann and her family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, where she would remain for the remainder of her days.

Of all things, Ann was known as one of the kindest and most caring souls one could meet. Until the end of her life, she always had flocks of feathered songbird friends that would always bedazzle visitors, as well as her various furry friends of pups, kittens, squirrels and other creatures greater and smaller that she would befriend. A visitor to her home’s large tract in East Edmond would also find gardens always replete with blooms of every sort.

Ann was always a self-starter and would not sit inactive for very long.

In 1976, Ann saw an advertisement for a position with the Edmond Fire Department, when it was a small department with a family feeling in what was then a small town. Ann would rise quickly within the Edmond FD and for many years was the Administrative Specialist for the entire Edmond FD, including being the primary executive assistant for the three Fire Chiefs during her 22 years of service.

As the Edmond FD grew to 84 members, Ann was fond of, and cared for, everyone, with her calming blue eyes treating all as extended family.

Ann retired from the Edmond Fire Department in 1998 and on retirement she was, in addition to numerous heartfelt accolades, presented an Edmond FD brass bugle and a name engraved polished brass axe, a singular honor normally only presented to retiring firefighters.

During the years, she and Gary were always involved in various activities, such as their decades of involvement with square dancing with the Aristocrats Plus group, square dancing with 20 other couples every second and fourth Saturday of each month.

While Ann cherished her community accomplishments and activities, she felt immensely blessed to have earned the title of Mom, as well as Grand-Mom and Granny. Besides being a wonderful friend and pillar of the community, more than anything else, Ann focused her energies on the love and caring of her three children, as well as her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ann is survived by her beloved husband and soulmate of 66 years, Gary L. Shomber, Edmond; her children, Scot Shomber, Lawrence, KS (Tammy), Kent Shomber, retired Edmond Firefighter, Edmond (Shelly) and Leigh Ann Hardin, Edmond (Lloyd); her brother Bob Ramsey (Norma), El Dorado, KS; her grandchildren Joshua Shomber, Guthrie; Ashley Crafton, Lawrence, KS; Samuel Lassiter, Edmond; her great grandchildren Jayden Lassiter, Oklahoma City; Dexter Crafton, Lawrence, KS; and Elwyn Crafton, Lawrence, KS; as well as a host of family and friends who will forever feel the void of her absence.

A public viewing will be held at 4.00 PM to 7.00 PM on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Baggerley Funeral Home, 930 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK.

Funeral services will be held at Noon on Friday, November 17, 2023 at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, 900 N Sooner Rd, Edmond, OK, and officiated by the Reverend Josh Attaway, with a reception for family and friends to follow, thereafter by internment.

The family would like to thank all of Ann’s Doctors for their care and loving, as well as the wonderful staffs at Touchmark Assistant Living Center, Integris ER and Hospital, and Parc Place Medical Facility, for their kindness, caring and love.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baggerley.com for the Shomber family.