Oxford, Ala. - Sharon (Clifton/Collins) Carpenter, 68, of Oxford, Ala., departed this life July 10, 2023. She was born April 8, 1955, to Jewell and Willie Clifton Jr. (both deceased) in Columbia, S.C.

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 also leaves behind: sisters-in-law, granddaughters, grandson, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and her great-nephews.

At age three, Sharon was placed into foster care at the home of the Reverend Kingdon L. Sr. and Elizabeth E. Collins (both deceased) until adulthood. During these years, a lifelong bond evolved between Sharon and several children also raised by the Collins: 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, receiving her associate in science degree (magna cum laude) from Gadsden State Junior College in Alabama, earning her bachelor of science segree with distinction and special honors in management from Jacksonville State University also in Alabama. In addition, she earned a master's 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, Ala., 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, jewelry, and eventually qualified for a Pontiac Grand Am.

In 2012, Sharon Carpenter published her first book, "Western Cowboy Poetry: An African-American Perspective."

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. For her full obituary, please visit: Cremation Services of East Alabama/ alabamacremationservices.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Jul. 19, 2023.

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