Jennifer Dannette Blackshare
June 16, 1971
November 4, 2026
Jennifer Dannette Blackshare, age 55, of Jenks, Oklahoma, suddenly went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus on November 4, 2026. She is survived by the love of her life, Teil Christopher Blackshare, her husband of 35 years. Born on June 16, 1971, in Enid, Oklahoma, during wheat harvest, Jennifer was the beloved daughter of Dwight Wessels and Kathie Killion Wessels. Her grandparents, William Wessels and Mildred Irene Wessels, and Quentin Killion and Rose Mary Killion Collins, preceded her in death.
Jennifer treasured her children as her greatest blessings. Guided by faith and family, she saw being a wife and mother as her special calling. She poured her heart into raising her children and supporting their interests at every stage of life, never missing an event or an opportunity to praise their achievements and strength of character. She is survived by her daughters, Allyson and Cassidy Blackshare, and her sons, Tyler Blackshare and his wife, Jully, and Jayden Blackshare, all of Jenks, Oklahoma.
The third of four daughters, Jennifer grew up on a wheat, alfalfa hay, and cattle farm in Cherokee, Oklahoma. She loved driving tractors, tending cattle, and tackling whatever tasks her father assigned. She often credited those early farm years with shaping her work ethic and grit. She is survived by her sisters, Tami Hamilton, Kim Quintanar, and Danielle Budy, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jennifer graduated as valedictorian of Cherokee Public High School in 1989. She served as drum majorette in the marching band, played basketball, cheered, and participated in speech and drama, earning a state championship in competitive speech. She married Teil C. Blackshare in Cherokee, Oklahoma, in 1991. At Oklahoma State University, she earned a degree in mathematics education in 1993 and a Master of Education in instructional and curriculum supervision in 1999.
Jennifer devoted her career to public education, beginning as a middle school math teacher at Broken Arrow Public Schools in 1994. She joined Jenks Public Schools in 2000 and became a familiar presence at Jenks Middle School, serving all 26 years in the same building. She taught math, became Math Department Chair in 2008, and was promoted to Assistant Principal in 2015. She cherished her connections with students and staff and brought optimism to each school day. She regarded her work as a ministry of love and kindness and was authoring a book on these principles, drawing on her years in public education.
Jennifer took an active role in her church and community. She helped found the Asbury Covenant Sunday School class at First United Methodist Church in Tulsa, participated in the Purity with Purpose ministry and volunteered in children’s ministries. She and Teil led multiple small groups in their home over the years, and she participated in numerous book clubs and Bible studies. Most recently, she embraced serving as a Court Appointed Child Advocate (CASA) and was working on her third case.
Family holidays and travel brought Jennifer great joy, including a recent Mediterranean cruise with Teil to celebrate their 35th anniversary. When the parents announced each summer’s family trip, she gave everyone a personalized hat, coat, or towel to mark the occasion. Jennifer built enduring friendships in many circles and enjoyed a variety of interests. She exercised regularly, completed several half-marathons, and played on multiple tennis teams each year, twice qualifying for Nationals. She loved reading, especially young adult books that helped her connect with students. She also enjoyed new mini-series, Hallmark movies, and OSU sports, particularly the OSU Blackshare tailgates.
Jennifer and Teil were best friends who, above all, simply loved being together. As their children entered adulthood and they became empty nesters, Jennifer devoted more time to Teil. They enjoyed traveling, watching movies, going for walks, and hosting OSU watch parties. They modeled a loving marriage for their children, who often remarked on their passion and affection for one another.
Jennifer’s personal relationship with the Lord was her strength through the years. She openly shared her faith and encouraged others to have a personal and life-changing relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at Asbury Church, 6767 S. Mingo. Everyone is welcome at the reception immediately following the service. Attendees are encouraged to wear blue, Jennifer’s favorite color.
Contributions may be made in support of the Jennifer Blackshare Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Education fund at the OSU Foundation. Checks should be made payable to the OSU Foundation and mailed to PO Box 1749 – Stillwater, OK 74076-1749 or gifts can be made online here. Please note your donation is in memory of Jennifer Blackshare.