Edward Sharpe

Edward Hughes Sharpe

January 28, 1936-April 5, 2021

Edward Hughes Sharpe of Bakersville, North Carolina, went home to the Lord on April 5, 2021. Eddie was the son of the late Beatrice Hughes Sharpe and the late Edward Greer Sharpe, and brother to the late Betty Rector and the late Billie Stewart.  

Eddie was dearly loved and is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Margarett Young Sharpe, daughters Cynthia Sharpe (husband Dwain Swing), Sammie Sharpe (husband Kurt DeMann) both of Bakersville and son Edward Hughes Sharpe II of Spruce Pine. He was  devoted and loving Grandaddy to his grandchildren, Seth Burleson and wife Jessica of Fuquay Varina, NC, Dylan Burleson and wife Brandee of Spruce Pine, Rachel Donnelly and husband Jason of Greenville, SC, and Annalise Metcalf of Illinois. Visits from great-grandchildren Aidan, Raelyn, Laira, Avee, Bree, and Allister brightened his days with fun and the unexpected. He is also survived by nieces Lynn Stewart Long, Gail Rector Peterson, and nephews Jim and Bill Rector.

A native of Mitchell County and a life-long learner, Eddie was a 1953 graduate of Bowman High School, a 1955 business school graduate of Gardner-Webb College, attended East Tennessee State University, and Mars Hill College. 

Though the NC mountains were always home, over the years Eddie worked for Carolina Tire Company in Marion and Lexington, NC, and Rock Hill, SC, and for Carolina Furniture in Lincolnton, NC. He worked for Eastman and Walker Furniture in TN before the family returned to Mitchell County in 1969. 

Eddie worked in local clothing manufacture management for many years, beginning with Pacemaker Manufacturing in 1969. He worked for Blue Bell, Inc, Wrangler, Randleman, and Banner Elk Glove. Eddie worked stints with Mayland Community College and Lexington Furniture, before his retirement in 2001. After retirement, Eddie worked about 8 years at Walmart, primarily in the sporting goods department. He always cherished the friendships of coworkers and enjoyed seeing friends he’d worked with along the way.

Eddie loved Bakersville and the people of our mountains, and volunteered with United Way, Lions Club, and other civic organizations. As an active member of the Bakersville Volunteer Fire Department, Eddie kept his gear ready to jump into and responded to many night-time calls including a train wreck. For years he assisted with the Rhododendron Festival, operating the spotlight for the pageant stage.

Eddie’s love of God and devotion to helping others kept him busy outside work and family. He was a very active member of Bakersville Baptist Church, serving as deacon, Sunday School teacher and in numerous other roles as well as singing a solid bass in the church choir for  decades. He was a generous man with a “can do” spirit who was always willing to lend a hand, and was devoted to those who were sick or shut-in, frequently cooking food and sharing with elderly and disabled folks in the community. 

Eddie was a lifelong gardener and woodsman, tending at least one garden every summer and cutting firewood for the woodstove through the winter. He shared bounty from the garden generously and often planted extra so he could share with others. Eddie knew his home place  like the back of his hand, often telling stories of his youth on the farm with his collie dog, Duffy.

Eddie was a voracious reader all his life, loved the library, and wore Bakersville Public Library out keeping him stocked with books. 

In his last years, Eddie had a number of health issues that offered challenges that would have finished others. In 2005, a rare neuropathy left him virtually paralyzed with less than 50% chance of walking again. Eddie met the challenge head-on and within a year he was once again walking unassisted. With the loving care and determination of Margarett, he met his challenges with love and a smile, dying at home as he had wished. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Graveside services will be held Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 3:00PM at Bakersville Memorial Cemetery with Reverend Jim Sutton officiating.

Memorials may be made to Bakersville Baptist Church, PO Box 2, Bakersville, NC 28705.

Henline - Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the Sharpe family.

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