Sharon (Walker) Porter began her journey on Christmas Day, December 25, 1955. Sharon was born to Geraldine Yarbrough and the late Johnny Frank Bankston in Newark, New Jersey; she was the second of five children born to Geraldine Yarborough. Sharon was educated in the Newark Public School System; she attended Webster Junior High School and graduated from Barringer High School. On December 11, 1971, Sharon gave birth to her first child, Duwaine Walker. In 1974, she secured employment with the United States Postal Services at the New Jersey International Bulk Mail Center in Jersey City, where she was responsible for sorting and processing mail. Seven years after giving birth to her son, Sharon gave birth to her second child, Sharonda Michelle Walker, on March 25, 1978. After working for the United States Postal Service for nearly fifteen years, Sharon decided to go back to school to obtain her Business certification at SCS Business School in Newark, NJ. This accomplishment laid the foundation for Sharon to obtain employment as a Medical Records Representative with St. Michaels Hospital Center in Newark, NJ. Through a family friend, Sharon was informed that the New Jersey Department of Labor was hiring in its Unemployment Division. Sharon applied and obtained employment with the Division as an Unemployment Insurance Clerk. For more than twenty-one years, Sharon compassionately processed unemployment claims at the Newark and East Office unemployment offices.
Sharon remained at the Unemployment Office until she sustained a significant injury to her foot and ankle during a snowstorm which caused her to pursue early retirement. If you knew Sharon well, you would know that in her earlier days, she was a fashionista. She was stylish and chic; she coordinated her attire to match her shoes and handbags. Without any reservations, she loved to shop for clothing so much that her closets were runneth over. Not only did she dress with flair, but Sharon was also a seamstress; she would walk into a fabric store to purchase a few yards of fabric to sew her own blouses, gauchos, shirts, or any garment with or without a pattern. In the same fashion, Sharon would sew matching curtains and comforter sets for her and her children’s bedrooms. Sharon spent many of her weekends enjoying her grandchildren. She was also an avid churchgoer. She fellowshipped at many houses of worship throughout the years. During the pandemic, Sharon stayed connected to several live broadcasted church services to keep attached to the word of GOD. Sharon leaves behind her son Duwaine Walker, daughter Sharonda Michelle Walker, grandsons Davon Duwaine Walker, Kahiem Walker and Kristopher Walker, sister Roslyn Pit, brother Curtis Yarborough, niece April Campbell, nephews, Kevin Walker, Peter Walker and nephew in law Chris Campbell, and a host of family and friends. Sharon was surpassed in death by her mother Geraldine Yarborough, brother Ronald Yarborough and sister Denise Yarborough. Sharon also leaves behind a host of family and friends to mourn her passing.