Francis Allyne Sharpe

In Loving Memory of Francis Allyne Sharpe (Ally)

Ally lived 88 beautiful years with grit, grace, and a deep love for all living things – especially if they had fur, hooves, or paws. She passed peacefully, surrounded by family, leaving a legacy of strength, laughter, and soul-deep creativity.

Born in Mangum, Oklahoma, Francis Allyne ‘Goode’ was a force of nature from the start – a fearless spirit, incredibly talented, and full of heart. A classically trained pianist, she studied at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music and later at the University of Oklahoma, where she majored in piano and organ. As a teenager, she played the piano for her church in Mangum and later played the pipe organ in several large churches in Dallas and Oklahoma City, performing with grace far beyond her years. She passed her love of the piano to her grandchildren.

Ally didn’t just appreciate beauty – she created it. She was an exceptional artist, known for her prize-winning work in watercolor, pen and ink, and pastels, each piece reflecting her keen eye for color and detail.

She also had a passion for playing tennis, traveling the world for months at a time with her beloved husband, Clyde, and sharing a laugh over a good backhand. Her partnership with Clyde was full of adventure, comradery, and unwavering devotion to each other.

Ally was never more alive than when she was on horseback, and if she wasn’t riding, she was likely building fences or tossing bales of hay far larger than her slender frame should have been able to handle. A dedicated equestrian, beloved riding teacher, and talented horse trainer, Ally shared her love of Arabian horses with her three daughters and later her granddaughters, spending many years traveling together to horse shows across the country. She was a horse trainer and loved training riders in Dressage, English, and Western style.

But it wasn’t just animals, music, and art that captured her heart and filled her days, she still made time to be a loving and devoted mom and wife, always fiercely protective, fun loving and quick to forgive. She led with love (and sometimes a little sass) and believed that a home wasn’t complete without muddy footprints, a BIG breakfast, and a few dogs and cats underfoot.

She taught her family the power of loyalty, acceptance, and the importance of looking after the ones who can’t speak for themselves.

Ally is survived by her daughters, Lea Zrenda, Ann Garland, and Kim Hodges and husband Joe Hodges; her beloved crew of grandchildren — Justin Grisham and his wife, Stephanie; Jamie Bleything and her husband, Tim; Brittany Garland, Bailey Garland, Michael Hodges and his wife, Kristen; and Alex Hodges and her partner, Harrison Fugman, as well as her growing group of great-grandkids, who brought her endless joy — Sawyer and Sadie Bleything, Kimmy Garland, Nebraska Jenkins, and little Tate Fugman. She is also survived by her first husband, Gilbert Hyroop, who she remained friends with until the end.

Ride on, Mom. You were one of a kind!

Ally had many step grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins who she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Sharpe; her parents, Peggy and JW Goode; her dearly loved brothers and their wives, Paul and Paula Goode and Cal and Jane Goode; and her son-in-law, Steve Zrenda.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to "Best Friends Animal Society", an organization that helps promote animal welfare and pet adoption. The link to donate is https://bestfriends.org/