Nellie Lee Tharpe

August 15, 1920-August 1, 2014

Columbus, GA- Nellie Lee Tharpe passed away Friday August 1, 2014 at Gulf Breeze Courtyard Assisted Living in Gulf Breeze, Florida of Alzheimer's and Congested Heart Failure. She was two weeks shy of her 94th birthday.

She was born and raised in Marianna, Florida, the daughter of Robert P. and Myra Hill. She later moved to Columbus, Georgia and married James H. Tharpe and lived here for over 70 years. They had two sons, Randell Ray and Daniel H. Tharpe. She worked at Tom Houston's Peanut Company, Golden Doughnut, and owned and operated Nellie's Beauty Shop for over 30 years. She was a Christ-follower and a member at Cascade Hills Baptist Church and later Grace Baptist Church before moving to Florida. She was an active bowler with the Striking Seniors at Peach Lanes for over 20 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and oldest son, Ray Tharpe; three sisters, Mamie Lou Bowles, Hazel Stevens, and Myrtle Powell, and two brothers Colin and Lelon Hill.

She is survived by three sisters, Leila Tant, Eula Hammock and Ruth Banks (Harry) her daughter in law, Doris Ann Tharpe, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, son, Daniel H. and wife Robin of Texas. 13 Grand-children; Heather (Ian) Quance of Collumpton, England, Heidi (Chris) Moody of Birmingham, Al., Dirk (Ginger) Tharpe also of Birmingham, Al., Jenny Goodwin (Andy Burdeshaw) of Atlanta, Georgia, Joey (Charlton) Martin of Salem, Al., Phillip (Martha) DeBice of Columbus, Ga., Micheal (Amber) DeBice of Phenix City, Al., 22 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great grandchildren.

Rev. Bob Hawkins to officiate at 2pm EDT Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at the Chapel of the Pines Mausoleum in Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, GA. according to Striffler-Hamby, Columbus, GA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service at the Mausoleum.

The family is especially thankful to Gulf Breeze Courtyard Assisted Living and Emerald Coast Hospice for their tender loving care.