Sharon Childress

 Sharon Carpenter Childress was born on August 25, 1954, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Bertha Crosby and the late Kenneth Carpenter. She departed this world and went home to be with the Lord on July 16, 2025.

Sharon grew up in Walnut Hills on Oak Street, where she attended Cummins Elementary and spent much of her childhood at Morning Star Baptist Church—a place that would shape her faith for years to come. Above all else, Sharon loved God. Her spiritual journey began early, and she was baptized at Morning Star Baptist Church at an early age by Pastor James C. Wynn. Her deep and abiding faith remained the foundation of her life, guiding her through every season with strength and grace. While attending Hughes High School, where she eventually graduated, Sharon met and married her high school sweetheart, Gregory E. Childress. Their union was blessed with the sunshine of their lives: their daughter, Tanya Renee’, and son, Gregory Jerome. Sharon was a loving, faithful, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. Of all her accomplishments, she considered raising her two beautiful children to be her greatest joy.

Dedicated, determined, and most of all dependable, Sharon was truly “The Rose of Sharon” and the embodiment of the Proverbs 31 woman—strong, diligent, virtuous, and committed to using her gifts to support her family and community. She spent over 20 years working at Deaconess Hospital, where her hard work and natural abilities earned her a promotion from the kitchen to an office position in medical records after just two years, despite having no prior experience; her skill, determination, and grace spoke for themselves. Following her time at Deaconess, Sharon continued her professional journey with Thompson, Hall & Jordan Funeral Homes, Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church, and later New Jerusalem Baptist Church, where she faithfully managed the church office until her health no longer allowed her to work.

Sharon had a deep love for people and a heart for service. She was an active member of several churches over the years, including Morning Star Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Calvin A. Harper; Quinn Chapel, under the leadership of Pastor Donald Jordan; Word of Deliverance, under the leadership of Bishop Bobby Hilton; St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Cecil Ferrell; and New Jerusalem Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Damon Lynch Sr. (emeritus). Her final membership was at Endeavor Church, where she proudly served under the leadership of Pastor Joel McCauley. In these communities, she served as a deaconess, sang in the choir, and was a beloved member of the hospitality committee. Singing brought Sharon immense joy—it made her feel vibrant and alive. She often said, “I am a worshipper. I love to worship!” Her passion for music and ministry extended beyond the church pews. She sang and directed choirs in church, as well as choirs throughout the city, including the Childress Family Choir, the late Bobby King and CVOT, the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) Cincinnati Chapter, Cincinnati Classical Roots, and was featured on two gospel recordings: Been There, Done That with the BJ Mass Choir featuring Timothy Wright andIn His Time with The Rhythmic Sounds of New J, under the leadership of Adrian Cunningham.

In January 2025, Sharon was honored with a Commitment of Service award from New Jerusalem Baptist Church, recognizing her faithful work and dedication as a member of the church staff. More recently, her current church home, Endeavor Church, paid a special tribute by naming a room in its new facility “Sharon’s Closet”—a ”fitting tribute to her unwavering dedication and love for God, her compassion for His people, and her lifelong commitment to the work of the church.

Outside of church and work, Sharon found joy in cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with her family. In her younger days, she loved skating and dancing—Sharon, Greg, and her sister-in-law Wilma would hit the skating rink every weekend. Dancing was a true passion for her, and both Sharon and Greg were featured dancers on Soul Street, Cincinnati’s version of Soul Train. Family gatherings were some of her favorite moments—filled with laughter, conversation, card games, and playful trash talk, to which Sharon always responded with her sassy, signature comeback: “Whatever.” Sharon especially loved everything about Christmas—the day believers around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. She started watching Hallmark Christmas movies in July, and by November, every room in her home was filled with festive cheer. And the season wasn’t complete without Sharon proudly wearing her beloved “ugly” Christmas sweaters! Sharon also enjoyed spending time with her children and their friends and was lovingly known to many as “Mama Sharon.” Her home was a welcoming hangout for her children’s friends and countless unofficially adopted daughters, sons, and godchildren whom she loved dearly.

If Sharon could leave everyone with one lasting gift, it would be the Word of God—specifically, Psalm 119:130: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.” To her, this verse was a powerful reminder that when you truly receive God’s word into your heart and spirit, it brings clarity, wisdom, and transformation. It illuminates your path and guides you toward truth.

Sharon was preceded in death by her grandparents, John & Annie Mae Fears and Helen Louise Carpenter; grandson, ChaRon Alston Childress; father, Kenneth Carpenter; brothers, Curtis Carpenter and stepbrother Antonio Crosby; her beloved husband, Reverend Gregory Childress; her stepfather, Jehu Crosby; and her in-laws, Willard and Gertrude Childress.

Sharon leaves to cherish her precious memory: her mother, Bertha Crosby; children, Tanya Childress and Gregory J. Childress II; adopted son Pastor Edwin Beckles (Tiffany); stepbrother Andre’ Crosby; three grandchildren, Gregory J. Childress III, Javon Coleman, and Bria Kelley; four great-grandchildren; aunts, Delores Underwood, Jackie Fears, and Charlotte Gill; brother-in-law Jerome Childress; sisters-in-law Judith Boyd (Michael), Wilma Hickland (Gordy), Bettie Palmer (Tony), Irell Lynn Wallace, and Belva Janette Grevious; the Carpenter family; and her sister-cousin Joan Gibson (Morris); a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, and god-grandchildren whom she loved dearly; relatives and friends; her beautiful Sister Circle at Morning Star Baptist Church; and her fellow choir members throughout the city of Cincinnati.

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