Frank Sharpe

WILSON - William Franklin "Frank" Sharpe, 88, died Monday, May 9, 2011. Funeral, Wednesday, 11 AM, First United Methodist Church, followed by a time of visiting. Frank was born in Danville, VA, on September 26, 1922, a son of Paul Brantley and Inez Roane Sharpe. He graduated from George Washington High School in Danville and immediately went to work with Export Leaf Tobacco Company. He enlisted in the Army in 1942, served in England for a year and over to France for a year and a half. He was awarded the Purple Heart for combat wounds and was discharged in 1945. After the war, he returned to Export Leaf for a 40 years relationship that culminated in his retirement in 1981. During his Export time he lived in Oxford, Richmond, VA and Wilson. Frank was active in civic organizations including the Jaycees, the Civitans and was currently a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He volunteered many hours at St. Timothy's Soup Kitchen and with Meals on Wheels. Preceding him in death was his first wife, Gretta Warren Sharpe; his parents; sister, Barbara S. Tollefson Kirshner; brother, Paul Brantley Sharpe, Jr. Surviving is his wife, Anson Wooten Sharpe; daughter, Julia Warren (Randy) of Raleigh; son, William "Bill" F. Sharpe, Jr. (Pamela) of Wilson; grandchildren, Whitney W. Fry (Ben) of Roanoke, VA, Jacob Warren of Raleigh; great-granddaughter, Sydney Emily Fry; sisters-in-law, Sarah W. Pollock (William) of Kinston, Jewel Hathaway Sharpe of Wilmington, Libby Warren Emory, of Durham; numerous nieces and nephews and step-family. Memorials are suggested to the Hospice of Wilson Medical Center, 1705 Tarboro St, SW, Wilson, NC 27893 or to the First United Methodist Church Children's Ministries, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894.