Sarah Elizabeth Tharpe

Sarah Ellis Tharpe, age 89, of Birmingham passed away Friday, April 1, 2016. She was a loving wife and mother and her home was always filled with love. She loved sitting on her patio with her beloved dog Abby, children and grandchildren. She retired as the executive assistant of the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents and as executive director of Birmingham Independent Insurance agents after 33 years of service.

She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Barton Tharpe; her parents Edwin and Harriett Ellis; sisters Miriam Phillips and Ethel Mura; and brother Edwin Ellis.

She is survived by her children William M. Tharpe (Sara), Leigh T. Matthews (John), Linda Osborne (Bill), and Beth Dowdy; grandchildren Jennifer White (Jonathan), Courtney Osborne, Dechiara Moran (Somer), Marissa Lopez (Leo), and William S. Champion (Jeri); and great-grandchildren Ava, Kenzie, Jami, Madison, and Miller.

Visitation will be Tuesday April 5, 2016 at 6:00 PM at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel. A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 12:00 noon at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham.