Sally Royal

ROYAL, Sally Ann - age 84, of Flint, died December 21, 2020. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date at St. Pius X Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Sally was born April 25, 1936 in Flint, the daughter of Robert Harvey and Leona Adele (Castle) Carpenter. She grew up on Perry Street by Ballenger Park where she learned to play tennis, ice skated and performed on stage with the neighborhood kids. Sally was a Flint City Women's Novice Tennis Champion in 1952 and met her future husband Tom, playing tennis at Ballenger Park. She was a 1955 graduate of Northern High School and married Thomas John Royal on June 2, 1956. Sally's first job was a waitress, counter girl, known then as a Soda Jerk, at Les Kenney's Joliette Cutrite. She also worked at Michigan Bell as an operator, Beecher Schools as a secretary and McLaren Hospital as a switchboard operator. She was always full of life, spirit and youth. She remained an avid tennis player her entire life and taught her children and grandchildren. She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church where she sang in the Choir. Sally also taught line dancing at Swartz Creek Senior Center and in Florida and was a life-time member of Fitness USA. Surviving are: husband, Thomas Royal; three children, Thomas "TJ" Royal II and wife, Joy of Mt. Morris, Joanne and husband, Bill Dunavant of Ypsilanti, Barbara and husband, Andy Furno of Clarkston; five grandchildren, Matthew (Jessie) Dunavant, Christopher Dunavant, James Sutherland, Danyelle (Richard) Gilliam, and Evan Furno; five great-grandchildren, Archer, Aiden, Eva, Caleb and Bailey; brother, Richard (Sweet) Carpenter of Elberta, MI; many nieces, nephews, cousins and her Aunt Gladys. She was preceded in death by: her parents, two sisters, Barbara Joan "Joannie" Carpenter and Maryann Carpenter; brother, John Carpenter. The family extends a special thank you to the staff of Swank Assisted Living and Heart to Heart Hospice. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements by Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek, MI 48473.