Sharon Kay (Castleberry) Tunnell, 84, of Amarillo, passed peacefully on the morning of July 21, 2026.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held at St. Stephen’s Church, 4600 S. Western St, with Pastor Jim Smith presiding on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 10am. Burial will be private.

Sharon Kay Castleberry was born on November 11, 1941, in Benton, Illinois to Clint H Sr and Mabel (Boney) Castleberry. Her family relocated to Texas while she was a child and eventually settled in Lubbock, Texas where Sharon would graduate from Monterey High School. On August 19, 1961, at First Baptist Church of Lubbock, Sharon married Patrick Austin Tunnell. Upon finishing Texas Tech University in February of 1967, they relocated to Amarillo to begin their life together.

Sharon was deeply dedicated to the church. Partrick and Sharon joined St. Stephens Church in August of 1967. She would join the staff at the church in 1976 as the Church Administrator, a career that lasted over 30 years. Sharon loved working with the Missions organizations and helping put together many Missionary trips over the years. Outside of the church, Sharon took even greater pride in her family. She cherished every moment with them and made sure each one knew how much she loved them.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, Clint Sr and Mabel, her brothers, Clint Jr and Gary Lee, and her daughter, Kimberly Upton. Those left to cherish her memories are her husband, Patrick Tunnell, daughter, Connie Leigh Volk and husband Michael, son, Jason Monroe Tunnell; a legacy of eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and cherished friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that a donation be made to St. Stephens Church Missions Organization at ssumc.churchcenter.com/giving, in honor of the work Sharon loved so dearly.