Graduated from Winthrop College in 1942. She received her Master's degree from the University of Tennessee and taught physical education and distributive education. She has spent most of her career as a consultant for marketing and distributive education with the South Carolina Department of Education. She is a member of the South Carolina Employees Association Board, Florence Community Concert Association, and The Florence Little Theater Association. She is active with the Winthrop Alumni Association including serving as a member of the executive board. In addition, Ms. Carmichael has held leadership positions with Pilot International (civic/service club of executive and professional women with clubs in 9 countries).
In recognition of her service in Distributive Education Clubs of America, she was a charter inductee into the South Carolina Distributive Education Clubs of America Hall of Fame in 1990. She is a published poet in Wildflowers Expressions and has published a history of the Baptist Church in Dillon entitled Together Toward Tomorrow.