The alleged killer, 44-year-old Charles F. Barkley, was arrested and charged with murder. According to reports, Barkley and Sharmaine had a brief romantic history, and the incident may have stemmed from a domestic dispute.
Drake described Sharmaine as a “devoted single mother” to her children: Harlem, 7; Honesty, 9; Anastasia, 11; Nikiah, 12; and Theodis Jr., 15. Just weeks before her death, Sharmaine had moved into a new home where she hoped to give her kids a peaceful, loving life. That dream ended in bloodshed.
“She was building a home,” said Drake. “Now these children are left not only without a mother, but with that horrific memory of what they witnessed.”
Her sister, Sky Harmon, is still in disbelief. “I keep thinking I’m going to get a FaceTime call from her. She was always there when I needed something,” Harmon said through tears. “Now I ask myself: Who do I go to?”
Perhaps most heartbreaking is the youngest child, Harlem, who doesn’t yet understand what happened. “He doesn’t really understand that his mom is gone,” Harmon said. “It’s just so sad they have to go through this at such a young age.”
The GoFundMe campaign has raised over $8,000 as of July 19, with the goal of reaching $10,000 to support the children’s education and healing.
“I’m most worried about the little ones forgetting her face, her voice,” said Drake. “I want to make sure her memory stays alive.”
Sharmaine Forpahl’s funeral is scheduled for July 26. Her community now mourns not just a life lost too soon, but five innocent children forced to grow up far too fast — haunted by a memory they’ll never forget.