Mr. Ralph Bernarr Tharpe, Sr, age 98 of Ronda, passed away Friday, November 8, 2013 at Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. He was born February 18, 1915 in Wilkes County to John K. Tharpe and Pansy Byrd Tharpe. Mr. Tharpe was owner and operator of Tharpe's Mill and was known for his stonework. He was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church where he was an ordained deacon and served as Sunday school superintendent for many years. Mr. Tharpe was a veteran of the US Army serving during WWII. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers, J.K. Tharpe, Jr. and Robert Tharpe and sisters, Maxine Tharpe Bradley, Nell Tharpe Flynn, and Mary Jane Tharpe Cousins. Survivors include: his wife of 65 years, Oleen Norman Tharpe of the home, sons, Ralph B. Tharpe, Jr. and his wife Janet of Greensboro, Fred N. Tharpe and his wife Deb of Simpsonville, SC, Peter Tharpe and his wife Anita of Roaring River, and Forrest Tharpe and his wife Lorelei of Willis, TX; sister, Phyllis T. Cheek of Ronda; grandchildren, John Tharpe, Leigh Ann Tharpe Willard, Kathy Turner, Caitlin Tharpe, Erin Tharpe, Chase Tharpe, Bree Fleck, Hunter Tharpe, and Caleb Tharpe; step grandchildren, Chris Carroll and Johanna Smith; and seven great grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, November 11, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Macedonia Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service. The family requests that memorials be made to Macedonia Baptist Church, 1577 Macedonia Church Road, Ronda, NC 28670, American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312, or Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017. The family would like to thank the staff of Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home and Dr. Wilson Griffin for their care.
