Walsie Johnson Tharpe

Mrs. Walsie Cockerham Johnson Tharpe, age 91, of Traphill passed away Monday, November 30, 2020 at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Tharpe was born November 7, 1929 in Wilkes County to Martin and Margaret Phipps Cockerham.

Mrs. Tharpe was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and a past member of Little Stone Mountain Baptist Church. She retired from Modern Globe and volunteered for B.R.O.C Austin Meal Site, Meals on Wheels.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, John Frank Johnson, Jr; second husband, JK Tharpe, Jr.; six brothers, John Cockerham, Arthur Cockerham, Arl Cockerham, Clyde Cockerham, Stencel Cockerham, Omer Cockerham; three sisters, Hazel Hall, Bessie Hannah, and Irene Reinhart.

Survivors include: sons, Johnny D. Johnson and wife Jolene of Traphill, Tony B. Johnson and wife Maxine of Traphill; stepdaughters, Karen McLean and husband Nelson of Boonville, Kim Barker and husband John Dell of Ronda; grandchildren, Melanie Johnson-Wagoner and husband Jack, Adam J. Johnson, Chad B. Johnson, Emily Johnson Roberts and husband Joseph, Jacob M. Johnson; step-grandchildren, Brandon Barker, Levi Barker, Isaac Barker, Jonathan Kavanagh, Wendy Leath; great-grandchildren, Alex Wagoner, Folger Wagoner, Mason Wagoner, Grant Wagoner, and Max Wagoner.

A private funeral service will be conducted at Elkin Funeral Service Chapel with Pastor Mike Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Old Roaring River Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Tharpe will lie-in-state Friday, December 4, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service.