Golden Virginia (Sharpe) Humphrey

Golden was born shortly before the onset of the Great Depression on February 23, 1929, in the family home on 3rd Street in Spencer, NC. She was the daughter of John Taylor Sharpe and Frankie Jane (Taylor) Sharpe, both formerly of Lexington, NC. Golden attended Spencer High School and was an active Railroader, serving as class president, Annual/Newspaper Editor, cheerleader, and lettering in basketball. Following graduation in 1947, she attended Catawba College for two years before starting a career. She took a position at Wachovia Bank in Salisbury and was soon offered a job in Wilmington. She moved in 1956 and began attending Temple Baptist Church, singing in the sanctuary choir.

Within months, Golden was introduced to a certain L.W.”Bill” Humphrey, a recently-returned GI and USC student. They were married on February 15, 1959, and adventured together for over 66 years. They welcomed three daughters into their lives: Jayne Blair (1962), Susan Elise (1964), and Alison Paige (1967). Golden put her heart into creating a comfortable home reflecting her priorities of “Faith, Family, and Friends.” This home truly became their Castle accented with photos, travel mementos, and gifts from friends.

Golden’s trademark was the cashmere blue 1955 Chevy Bel-Air Hard Top that she bought brand-new; it was spotted all over Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach in her active years. She and Bill loved to attract bluebirds to their yard, enjoying each nesting season. They shared a love of travel, which took them to nearly every US state and through Western Europe. Their lives were filled with cherished friendships and Golden carefully planned annual Christmas cards for 50 years, sending them to wonderful friends, old and new.

Golden expressed her faith as a long-time active member of Temple Baptist Church, singing in the choir and serving in the WMU. Music brought her lifelong joy - she played piano, sang, and encouraged musical training in her children and grandchildren. Golden was also a sports fan, cheering for ACC Basketball and Football, as well as for the UNCW Seahawks from season seats at Trask Coliseum. One of her greatest life thrills was the occasion to sit behind the Blue Devil’s home bench at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium, and to yell for Coach K and JJ Redick!

Preceding Golden in death were her parents; sisters Melba Jones (J.A “Ott”), Evelyn Seamon Conrad (Grover, Paul), and brother James Sharpe (Pat). Golden’s beloved husband, Liston William “Bill” Humphrey, Jr, passed on August 19 of this year.

Surviving Golden are: daughters Jayne H. Pearce (Cecil) of Wallace, KS; Susan Brown (Randy) of Wilmington, NC; Alison Stenner (Derek) of Durham, NC; sister-in-law Elise Humphrey Coble of Wilmington, NC; Six Grandchildren - Taylor Pearce (Gabriela) of Omaha, NE; Cody Pearce of Omaha, NE; Sydney Brown Keesecker (Josh) of New Bern, NC; Ryan Brown (Lauren) of Knoxville, TN; Molly Stenner and Greta Stenner, both of Durham, NC; numerous and beloved nieces and nephews along with their families.

Golden and Bill were able to remain in their cherished home through the assistance of their daughters and families; the excellent caregivers of Homewerks Home Care; Kirsten Nemmers, RN; and the care team of Lower Cape Fear Life Care. The family is also deeply grateful for loving neighbors Barbara Diab and Lee Taylor, nephew Bob Jones of Wrightsville Beach and niece Pat Wood of Colfax.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, December 30, at 1:00 pm, with a 12:00 pm visitation at Temple Baptist Church, 1801 Market Street, Wilmington, NC. Golden will be laid to rest beside her husband at Oleander Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are through Coble Funeral and Cremation Service. Memorials may be made to Temple Baptist Church, Lower Cape Fear Life Care, or to the Fort Wallace Memorial Association Museum of Wallace, KS.