Portia McClure Tharpe

Portia McClure was born January 27th, 1931, in Paris, Tennessee to Mamie Porter and Walter McClure, both of whom preceded her in death.

Raised by her grandmother in Paris, TN, she completed her basic

education in Henry County Schools, where she graduated from Central High School in 1948. Later, she married Elvester H. Tharpe Sr. and they shared two children, Elvester Jr. and Portia Tuck.

She then relocated to Indianapolis with her birth mother and attended Indianapolis Practical Nursing School. She was employed at Riley’s Children Hospital for over 30 years, continuing her working career at VA Hospital for ten years.

Portia was an outgoing person. She never met a stranger. She always spoke her mind in a loving way and she loved her family. She was also a faithful member at Womack Memorial CME church for over 50 years.

Aside from her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters: Brunette White and Nancy McClure; brothers, Ike and Edwin McClure and her son, Elvester Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Portia Tuck; sister, Martha Bonds; brother, Kenny Courts; a loving special niece, Cherri Cunningham; her “Fella” James Cooper; four grandsons, Elvester Tharpe III, Terrell Wallace, James Tharpe, Joseph Tharpe; three granddaughters, Bridget Parr, Jennifer Tharpe, Felecia Tharpe; 16 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

A visitation for Portia will be held Monday, February 19, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 W. 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208, followed by a celebration of life at 12:00 PM.