Sharon Margaret Benjamin

                                                     To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

A Time to be Born and a Time to Grow: “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return” is a lyric, sung by Nat King Cole, that defines the fully lived life of Sharon Margaret Clark Benjamin; Born on April 29, 1955, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to parents Shirley Ann Gary and Roman Morgan, and stepdaughter of Richard Barrow, all of whom preceded her in death. The Barrow household rested in the South Hills of Pittsburgh in the community of Beltzhoover. Sharon resided in that home with her mother, stepfather and younger sister, the late Roselyn Denice Barrow.

A Time to Learn and a Time to Create: Sharon graduated in 1973 from South Hills High School and continued her education at The Wheeler School of Business. She later attended Connelley Technical Institute receiving a certification as a medical records clerk in 1988. Sharon loved people and served and cared for them in several capacities throughout her lifetime. Sharon worked and served communities in both Austin, Texas and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in airports, schools, hospitals, hotels, and retail establishments. Sharon could see beauty in things and people when others found it hard to imagine. It was this Godgiven gift that inspired her to start her own business, Divine Inspiration Restoration Services. Sharon along with her business partner Irwin Smith, combined prayer and construction to transform spaces for the glory of God and the good of their customers. Customers often expressed that her work brought tremendous spiritual and physical transformation to their spaces. Sharon also created gift baskets and floral arrangements to inspire and encourage others.

A Time to Love: On October 17, 1975, Sharon married Robert Clark. To that union God sent a son, Rashod Richard Lee on May 11, 1976. Sharon later united with Duwayne Kyles, on August 13,1980, and God blessed them with a daughter, Keelee Nichole. Sharon was a caring and devoted mother, loving her children unconditionally; remaining active in their lives and supportive of their efforts. Sharon loved being a grandmother. She shared with others the many proud and hilarious memories of India, Russell, Keearah (aka Kela), and Roman. Sharon was also a blessing and support to the friends of her children; loving and caring for them as if they were her own. Sharon was truly a kind person and loved with her whole heart. She would give her heart and hand in matrimony to two others, keeping only the surname of one--Benjamin, because it reminded her of the face that graced a hundred dollar bill!

A Time of Faith: Sharon loved the Lord and loved to serve Him. As a child, she attended South Hills Baptist Church in Beltzhoover, where she was baptized and attended Sunday School. However, Sharon would not surrender to Christ until July 1983, in Austin Texas, at The World of Pentecostal Church under the teaching of Bishop Kenneth Phillips. She was set on fire, filled with the Holy Spirit, and anointed to serve. God gave her gifts of mercy, intercession, and prophecy. Sharon was a worshipper who would “get her praise on” as she danced and sang to the Lord. Sharon used these gifts to minister wherever she found herself in Texas. Sharon’s devotion to the call and to her family led her to return to Pittsburgh, in 1986. She became a member of the Covenant Church of Pittsburgh under the leadership of Bishop Joseph L. Garlington, Sr, PhD. Sharon was a devoted member of Covenant and developed a love for servant leadership and ministry. She was trained at Covenant’s School of Prophets and served in the prison ministry. Her expressed goal in life was “to seek the highest walk with God as a personal savior” and she lived and used her gifts in achievement of this goal. In the late 1990’s, Sharon was called to serve in many other ministries: Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, and Petra International Ministries to name a few. In April of 2007, Sharon became a member of Higher Call World Outreach Church of Homestead, Pennsylvania. It was there that she answered the call to pulpit ministry and was ordained in September 2010.

A Time to Share: Sharon was a friend that loved at all times. She was a generous, loving, supportive, and unselfish woman who always put the needs others before herself. She never forgot a birthday or a special anniversary of her loved ones. Sharon has many sisterfriends that the lovingly called “Sissy and Honeybee”. She considered them her "framily." She had a personal relationship and a genuine love for each and every one of them: Donna Eleam White, Yolonda “Londie” Starr, Janice Johnson, Ernestine Sudduth, Lisa Davis, Lisa Robinson, Linda Webster, Bobbie Regan, Debbie Elder, Tracy White, Juanita Blackwell, LaShawn Terry, Becky Johnson, Carol Etheridge, the late Brenda Dixon, the late Pam Franklin, and the late Joy Dumas. She also spent time with her adopted Aunt Lena Franklin from whom she received maternal love and guidance.

A Time to Thrive: Sharon was strong-willed and determined. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, she never let cancer hinder her from enjoying life, serving in ministry, or caring for loved ones. Sharon traveled to Texas, often, to see her family. In July of 2016, she ventured with friends to Prayer Mountain to commune with God. Sharon, still eager to work and serve, joined Just Right Ministries on September 4, 2016, under the leadership of Rev. Michael E. Thomas Sr. She served as an intercessor, petitioning God for the needs of others via the Prayer line at Cornerstone TV. Sharon also continued to love and serve as a caregiver to her Aunt Marguerite Gary until her death on October 26, 2016. A Time to Serve: It was Sharon’s belief that all things were possible with God. This is the faith that gave wind to her sail and placed hope in her heart. Knowing God’s unconditional love made it possible for her to extend unconditional love to others. Sharon’s gift of mercy saw the good in others and extended forgiveness to folks that were forgotten by many. Sharon knew that in Jesus Christ, transformation is always possible. Her faith and hope was limitless; her love, unconditional and boundless. Her kindness extended to friend and stranger. Sharon loved and praised God even from her hospital bed. Her joy was present even in her suffering. You could tell this by her laughter. Sharon loved to laugh and her laugh was infectious and unforgettable!

A Time to Transition: In John 13:35, Jesus says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”. Jesus seeing Sharon’s love and recognizing his disciple, called Sharon by name while she slept, in the early morning hours of November 20, 2016. Sharon left to join Christ in the place that he prepared for her and we know that she danced and praised all the way home! A Time of Memories: Sharon leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory: a son, Rashod Clark; daughter, Keelee Kyles Moseley (Adrian); three grand-children, Russell and Keearah (aka Kela) Kyles-Flewellen and Roman Clark; one great-grandson, Kai'saun Allen; one aunt, Jeanette Gary Stanton; nieces April & Autumn Barrow; great-nieces, Andrea, Asia, Aubrey, Alasia & Arrianna; great-nephews, Tremont & Jammae; and a host of relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her aunts, Marguerite Gary and Ella Jackson, an uncle Algia Gary, Jr; and a granddaughter, India Allen 

                                                                                                   The Faith of My Mother

The days of time, are hard enough Mom handles them, without a fuss Knows the blessings, to be received And through the Lord, my Mom believes Things may look, as there is no hope And through it all, my Mom still copes Still the devil, tries to deceive And through the Lord, my Mom believes When I'm down, she sends love my way And for our miracles, she does pray, Her goals in life, she will achieve And through the Lord, my Mom believes No matter what, my mom will try And she is not afraid to die Rewards in heavens, are conceived And through the Lord, my Mom believes For the most loved mother in the world!