Sharon (Clifton / Collins) Carpenter, age 68, of Oxford, Alabama, departed this life on July 10, 2023. She was born April 8, 1955 to Jewell and Willie Clifton, Jr. (both deceased) in Columbia, South Carolina.
Sharon, a loving and devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and aunt is survived by her husband, James Edward Carpenter, Jr.; daughters, Tylene Nikkole and Jamie Elizabeth; and son, James (Sydnee). She is the eldest of the Clifton children: sister of Dyonera Beverly Clifton-Belton, Diana (Roscoe) Davis, Gregory Cummings, Alvin Clifton (deceased), Ulysses Clifton, and Belle (Scott) Buermann. Sharon is the sister-in-law of Joyce Young and Lois High. Sharon also leaves behind granddaughters, Mekayla Nikkole, Noelle Michele, Serenitee Ayanna; grandson, Jireh Elias; nieces, Shakeena Davis, Thandi Young, Nneka Carpenter; and nephews, Roscoe Davis, Jr., Rajai (Marissa) Davis, Joseph (Alanna) Young, Jory Young, Erik Buermann, Evan Buermann, Justin High, and Jerale High. Her great-nieces are Jada Davis, Ava Young and Ella Young; and her great nephews are Terrance Chase, Zamir Davis, and Jordan Davis.
At age 3,, Sharon was placed into foster care at the home of Reverend Kingdon L. Sr. and Elizabeth Collins (both deceased) until adulthood. During these years, a lifelong bond evolved between Sharon and several children also raised by the Collins’s: Kingdon L. Collins, Jr., Elizabeth (Kenny) Brevard, Phillip Hall, Gail Blevens (deceased), and Tina Ann Collins. She also leaves to mourn her passing, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Sharon Carpenter excelled in her educational pursuits, graduating from New London High School in 1973; receiving her Associates in Science Degree (Magna Cum Laude) in 1985 from Gadsden State Junior College in Alabama; earning her Bachelor of Science Degree with Distinction and Special Honors in Management in 1989 from Jacksonville State University also in Alabama. In addition, she earned a Master’s degree in Human Resources at England’s prominent Leicester University.
Sharon Carpenter got her start in Human Resources at FMC Steel Products and had a long distinctive career as a Global Executive Human Resources Director for Johnson Controls Headquarters in Wisconsin. She was also a Mary Kay Cosmetics entrepreneur/Beauty Consultant in Anniston, Alabama and obtained the role of Director with her own unit of Beauty Consultants. This earned her the opportunity to meet with CEO and founder, Mary Kay Ash. Through Mary Kay Cosmetics, Sharon received great recognition for her sales production, multiple awards, and jewelry, and eventually qualified for a Pontiac Grand Am.
In 2012, Sharon Carpenter published her first book, “Western Cowboy Poetry: An African-American Perspective.”. While living in Douglasville, Georgia, her favorite pastimes were writing and performing cowboy poetry with the Douglas County Poetry Writers Group along with its founder Joel Hayes, members Charlie Holloway, Peggy McColl, and others. Through extensive research, Sharon sought to educate, raise awareness and entertain her readers about the history of the American frontier through the eyes of some of its forgotten explorers – the African Americans who headed west seeking freedom and opportunity.
From her passionate commitment to her deep connection with God through daily prayer and earnest study of The Holy Bible, Sharon Carpenter wrote her commentary and reflections as she read through the Bible over a year. This second book is still pending publication, but will soon be available in print and online.
Sharon’s memory will forever be kept alive by her family, which is spread throughout the United States; the beloved many friends from her membership at Living By Faith Ministry in Oxford, Alabama under Pastors Bob and Jackie McClain; and from her membership at New Testament Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin under Pastor Julius and Ann (deceased) Malone. She bonded closely with her neighbors, clients, and co-workers. Sharon Carpenter was a dedicated volunteer during her free time to many communities, and served on many executive boards of organizations: Habitat for Humanity, Milwaukee Urban League, YMCA, NAACP, Black Achievers, March of Dimes, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Sharon Carpenter fought bravely against her diagnosis of early onset dementia at age 57 in Brookfield, Wisconsin. In 2020, James and Sharon relocated back to Alabama, where she received care from Signature In Home Care Inc. and Gentiva Hospice. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be given in Sharon’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association and Educational Scholarship Fund at Living By Faith Ministry.
