Sharon Ann Kempton

Sharon Ann (Carrico) Kempton has left this earthly life to move on to her heavenly home. On August 7, 2026, she began her journey to her eternal home, stopping at the Rainbow Bridge to gather her fur-babies who were waiting there for her. Awaiting Sharon's arrival at her eternal home was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; her loving parents, Charles Vivian and Vivian Edith (Barnett) Carrico; and her beloved brother Larry Ralph Carrico. Oh, what a glorious and wonderful reunion it was!

Sharon was born December 23, 1945, in the 2-story house on Vigo Road in Londonderry, OH, where she grew up and lived the majority of her 80 years. As a 1964 graduate of Southeastern High School, she received her life's education from the University of Hard Knocks. In September of 1964, she began her working career at the VA Medical Center, Chillicothe, where she continued to work for over 44 years of service. She retired on June 3, 2008, as a Supervisory Contract Specialist.

Sharon always enjoyed being outdoors working in the yard, or sitting in the swing "just a swingin" with her fur-babies, watching nature's great wonders that surrounded her. Sharon loved traveling with family and friends, and especially loved the Smokey Mountains. She always enjoyed the short visits to Hilton Head to visit her great-grandsons while her grandson served our country as a U.S. Marine. She loved family trips to Myrtle Beach and always looked forward to a good day playing slots at the casino with family and friends, visiting different casinos throughout the country and in Canada. She often said that she, "loved donating her money to the local economy" of wherever she was playing.

Sharon was always in awe of God's creations, speaking of them often and enjoyed many adventures in her life. She strolled across Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, went white water rafting in Tennessee, cruised up and down the Mississippi River in New Orleans, viewed New York City from atop the Empire State Building, visited Niagara Falls in Canada, watched sunrises on the beaches of the Atlantic coast, sunsets on the Pacific coast, and walked the long path of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which she always felt was one of the most emotional, heart-wrenching, yet inspiring, experiences in her life. Those are just a few of cherished memories throughout her life. One thing she always wanted to do was zipline above Fremont Street in Vegas but could never muster up the courage to do so.

Throughout the years, many spring and summer days were spent at baseball parks watching brothers, son, grandsons and granddaughter play baseball. She also spent lots of Saturdays watching her grandsons as they wrestled in matches and tournaments throughout the area. She enjoyed sports and loved to watch Ohio State basketball. Sharon enjoyed dancing to the music from the fifties and sixties. However, just sitting back and relaxing to good ole country music by artists Merle, Johnny, Conway, Willie, Kenny, Dolly, Loretta, and on and on.

As a member of the Londonderry Community Methodist Church, Sharon also appreciated the fellowship and the feeling of love, comfort and caring of those around her. God was her strength and guided her through some tough times. She would often say, "Don't dwell on the things you didn't get after praying. Just be thankful for the countless blessings God gave you without even asking."

Sharon considered God's greatest gift and blessing to her was her loving son and hero, Charles "Chuck" Curtis Kempton, who survives along with is wife Mary (Whitt) Kempton. Also surviving are grandchildren: Tiffany (Travis) Abner, Shane Gibbs (Karen Grey), Seth Smith (fiancee Danielle Miller); precious great-grandsons: Bo, Wyatt and Colt Gibbs, Cael and Clay Abner; her brother Terry Carrico; niece and nephews Soni Carrico (Johnny) Robinson, Tracy Carrico, Tad Carrico, and Tony (Missy) Carrico; and her dearest friend Sharon Knotts, who was there to lift her up when she needed it most. Last, but not least, her cherished fur-babies: Sammy, Callie, Lana, and Boo Boo. In addition to her parents and brother Larry, she was predeceased by sister-in-law Arnetta (Lawhorn) Carrico; Chuck's father Curtis Ronald "Ronnie" Kempton; and her old gambling buddy and dear friend for over 42 years, Fran Jones.

Sharon lived, laughed and loved! She considered her life on earth good, incredibly good, and truly hoped somewhere along her life's journey she made a positive difference in someone's life.

Her funeral service will be held at 11am Saturday, August 15, at the Haller Funeral Home & Crematory, with Pastor Dean Carroll officiating. Burial will follow in Londonderry Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10am until 11am at the funeral home. In supporting Sharon's love for animals, please consider a monetary contribution to one of the following: Ross Co. Humane Society, 2308A Lick Run Rd., Chillicothe, OH 45601; Pike Pet Pals, Inc., PO Box 1239, Waverly, OH 45690; or Vinton Co. Animal Shelter, 31479 S. R. 93, McArthur, OH 45651. Better yet, adopt a homeless fur-baby and make your life complete.