Carmen Marie Carstarphen Salleh was born on May 13, 1957, in Gadsden, AL, the fourth child of six. She was baptized at an early age at First Baptist Church East Gadsden. She later joined United Christian New Beginning Ministry. She graduated from Gadsden High School in 1974 as an honor student. Carmen was as smart as she was pretty. She was the first African American Junior Varsity cheerleader, and first African American elected Sophomore Class Beauty at Gadsden High.
Carmen attended Alabama State University and graduated from Stayer University in Washington, D.C. She was employed as a court reporter, paralegal, and office administrator. She served in the United States Navy, Computer Science and Office of Administration, and was honorably discharged based on a service-connected disability.
She was united in marriage to Sony Salleh in 1986. The marriage ended in divorce.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Leila King Carstarphen Baker, Van Carstarphen Jr.; brother, Jerry Van Carstarphen; eldest son, Damien Lamar; nephew, Marcus Dennard and Burnet Davis. She is survived by her children, Justin Bernard, Boni Dawn, Zhion and Zy'heme; grandchildren, Cianna, Xavier, Zhavien, and Trinity; sisters, Barbara Ann (Lewis Everett), Mary Louise (Gregory), Bonita Yvonne, and Alecia Tjuania (Rendell "Peabo").
She also leaves to celebrate her life an uncle, Woodrow Wilson King; nieces and nephews, La Precious, Nate', Brandon (Candace), Emanuel "Manny", Jeigh, Patric (Monique), Daeja, Destiny and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, and special friends who loved her dearly.
PUBLIC VISITATION
Friday, March 11, 2022
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Saturday, March 12, 2022 12:00pm First Baptist Church 1411 Meadowbrook Ave. East Gadsden, Alabama 35903
INTERMENT
Oaklawn Cemetery 1401 Emanuel Ave. Gadsden, AL 35904
Service by Professionals, Gadsden Memorial Funeral Home.
/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/prod/756/274933/xn2t25snsmmvnwqhhnuz.jpg)
