Obituary of Carmeretta Suggs

Carmeretta "Carmen" Anderson Suggs departed this life on Thursday, January 9th, 2025, after a brief illness. Born on June 13th,1947, Carmeretta was the oldest of five daughters born to the late Willie James and Thelma Hall Newkirk in Philadelphia, PA. Carmen was born and raised in the North Philadelphia area of the city. Named after her grandmothers Henrietta and Carmen, she spent her time working in her parents variety store for many years. Carmen received her formal education in the Philadelphia area school district studying cosmetology. Shortly after finishing high school, Carmen met and married her first husband, Robert A. Anderson in 1965. From this union, the couple had two daughters; De Vonna D. Anderson and Kimberli M. Anderson (Wilson) Although this relationship was not permanent, Carmen and Robert remained amicable until her death. While raising her daughters, Carmen knew she was capable of doing more and being more. She took a job at Samuel S. Pennypacker Elementay School as a lunchroom aide. During this time at the school, and all through her life, she became a "mom figure" to many children. Shortly there after Carmen made another job change and began working as a nurse's aide at the Philadelphia Protestant Home. While these jobs were ok, Carmen still wanted more out of life. She wanted to be a better example to her daughters, and after speaking to a friend, she applied for a government job as a clerk. In the winter of 1987, Carmen applied for a job with the United States Government, and to her surprise, she was offered the job. Carmen began as a GS-1 clerk at the Naval Air Development Center in Warminster Pa. She worked hard and developed a reputation for being an ambitious person. While Carmen was happy with this career choice, she still wanted more out of life. On the recommendation of her supervisor, she applied for the position of Contracting Officer and was offered the job. Carmen stayed in this position until her retirement in 2013 as a GS-12. Once her career was on the right track, Carmen took a chance and began dating again. This is when she met John Earl Suggs. John Earl courted her, and in 1998, the couple married. Around the same time, Carmen began going to church more and became a member of Polite Temple Baptist Church,she devoted her life to Christ and strived to have a better relationship with God. During their time as husband and wife, Carmen and John enjoyed many dinners at their favorite restaurant Gallo's, engaged in many conversations about the ever-changing world they were both living in, and they even took a cruise with other family members. John Earl preceded Carmen in death in September 2024. Although, Carmen enjoyed all these things, one thing she could not get enough of was hanging out with her best friend Janis Lynch who preceded her in death in 2018, She enjoyed working in her garden, shopping on QVC and HSN (usually for clothing and/or shoes in red), her FAVORITE color, playing the lottery, taking day trips, listening to old classics on the radio, going to the casino and doing Zumba class weekly. If you knew Carmen, you knew she was a die-hard Gladys Knight fan!!!! When Gladys came on, everyone around her knew to be quiet so she could sing along with Gladys!!! Carmen was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie James Newkirk, her sister Joyce Ann, two brother in laws; Raymond Rice and James Mc Daniels, and one grandson Daron A. Drake. She is survived by her two daughters, De Vonna D. Anderson, Kimberli M. Wilson (Philip). Her bonus daughter Yvette Everett. Three sisters, Deborah Charleston (Lawrence), Sandra Covert Rice, and Roslyn Williamson (Franklin). Four stepchildren, Troy, Keith, Dwight, and Vendetta, one sister-in-law Diane McDaniel's. Four grandchildren, Erica N. Boardley, Jazmine D. Anderson, Richard T. Tadlock and Adrienne D. Boardley, seventeen step grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Carmen will truly be missed by all who knew her...