When we think of the Underwood family, Carrie Underwood’s global fame often takes center stage. However, there’s another Underwood who has made significant contributions in her own right – Shanna Underwood Means. As Carrie’s oldest sister, Shanna has maintained a purposeful distance from the spotlight while building a meaningful life as an educator and family woman. AllBizBuzz takes a closer look at the woman who helped shape one of country music’s biggest stars.
Who is Shanna Underwood Means?
Born September 5, 1970, in Checotah, Oklahoma, Shanna Underwood Means is the eldest daughter of Stephen and Carole Underwood. Though she shares DNA with one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment, Shanna has carved out her own identity far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
At 53 years old, Shanna has built a life centered around education, family values, and maintaining close connections with her loved ones. Unlike her superstar sister, she prefers the quiet rhythm of small-town Oklahoma life, where she can focus on making a difference in her community through teaching.
Early Life and Family Background
Shanna grew up in the small town of Checotah, Oklahoma, alongside her two younger sisters, Stephanie Shelton and Carrie Underwood. The Underwood family lived on a farm, where the girls learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and family bonds from an early age.
Stephen and Carole Underwood raised their daughters with strong midwestern values. While Carole worked as a teacher, Stephen was employed at a paper mill. These humble beginnings fostered a sense of gratitude and determination that would later serve all three sisters in their respective life paths.
The significant age gap between Shanna and Carrie—a full 13 years—meant that Shanna often took on a quasi-parental role with her youngest sister. This early dynamic helped shape both their relationship and Carrie’s development.
Professional Life as an Educator
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Shanna chose education as her calling. Since 1995, she has dedicated herself to teaching elementary school children in Oklahoma, spending over 23 years at the same school in Checotah.
Her commitment to education demonstrates the same persistence and dedication that seems to run through the Underwood family. While Carrie conquers stages worldwide, Shanna makes her impact in classrooms, shaping young minds and contributing to her community’s future.
Teaching in a small town comes with its own rewards—the opportunity to know families across generations, to be a stable presence in children’s lives, and to witness the growth of a community through its youngest members.
Family Life and Marriage
Shanna’s personal life centers around her family. She is married to Martin Means, and together they have built a close-knit family with their three children: Max, Breanna, and Cody Means.
The Means family currently resides in Kellyville, Oklahoma, where they maintain a lifestyle focused on family values and community connections. Despite her sister’s fame, Shanna has prioritized giving her children a normal upbringing, shielded from excessive public attention.
As a mother, teacher, and wife, Shanna balances multiple roles with the same grace and strength that seems characteristic of the Underwood women. Her commitment to family mirrors the themes often celebrated in her sister’s music.
The Sister Bond: Shanna and Carrie Underwood
Despite their 13-year age difference, Shanna and Carrie share a special bond. Along with their sister Stephanie, Shanna had a significant influence on Carrie’s early musical tastes and fashion choices.
When Carrie embarked on her American Idol journey in 2005, Shanna was among her strongest supporters. Though Shanna may have been surprised by her younger sister’s meteoric rise to fame, she never wavered in her support and encouragement.
The Underwood sisters have maintained their close relationship despite their vastly different lifestyles. This connection speaks to the strength of their family bonds and shared values that transcend career choices and public visibility.
Life Away from the Spotlight
While Carrie performs for millions, Shanna has deliberately chosen a life away from public scrutiny. She is known to be protective of her privacy and that of her immediate family.
This choice doesn’t reflect a distance from her famous sister but rather a commitment to authenticity and the life path she has chosen. Shanna’s decision to maintain a normal lifestyle while supporting her sister’s extraordinary career demonstrates both wisdom and self-assurance.
In an era where many seek fame through family connections, Shanna’s preference for privacy is refreshing. She has successfully supported her sister’s career while maintaining her own identity and priorities.
Recent Family Moments
One of the most touching recent demonstrations of the Underwood sisters’ bond was their decision to get matching heart tattoos along with their mother. This permanent symbol of their connection speaks volumes about the importance they place on family relationships.
Despite busy schedules and different life paths, the Underwood family makes time for gatherings and celebrations. These moments away from public view allow them to maintain authentic connections and create lasting memories together.
Family milestones are celebrated with the same enthusiasm whether they happen in a classroom in Kellyville or on a stage in Nashville. This balanced perspective keeps the family grounded amid extraordinary circumstances.
Legacy and Impact
Shanna’s influence on Carrie’s development cannot be overstated. As the oldest sister, she helped shape Carrie’s character during formative years, contributing to the work ethic and humility that fans appreciate in the country star.
The values instilled in the Underwood home—perseverance, authenticity, family loyalty, and hard work—are evident in both sisters’ approaches to their chosen professions.
While Carrie’s legacy is preserved in recordings and performances, Shanna’s impact lives on through generations of students she has taught and the family she has raised. Both sisters, in their unique ways, have created meaningful legacies that honor their shared upbringing.
Shanna Underwood Means may not be a household name like her younger sister, but her story is equally compelling. It reminds us that success takes many forms, and sometimes the most meaningful contributions happen quietly, in classrooms and family homes, away from spotlights and stages.
