Melinda Lee Sharpe

Born in Anderson South Carolina, she was the second of 4 girls. She was the daughter of the late Milledge Lee Smith and the late Ellen Bass Smith. She was the loving wife of, Grady Sharpe and the Mother of her loving son, Robert Nicholas (Bobby) Sharpe

Being raised around Lake Hartwell, she loved being on the lake where she would spend every weekend on their houseboat. She learned to water ski at a very young age and was an avid water- skier.

In 1974 she moved to Irmo where she met her life long soulmate and greatest blessing. She graduated from Irmo High School in 1976 and then earned her associates degree from the University of South Carolina where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in March of 1978, where she also learned that she may have been brought up a tiger, but there was room for a family of Gamecocks to make her split her loyalty. In November of that year, she married the love of her life, Grady.

She was employed with the South Carolina Department of Social Services as a computer programmer where she retired in 2009. She loved doing arts and crafts and making beautiful jewelry. She had an eye for antiques and would get up early on Saturday mornings to hit all of the garage sales in order to find some of the best pieces for her antique business.

She was a member of St. Michael's Lutheran Church.

She loved camping, being at the beach and on the lake. She loved listening to good music, building a good fire and trips to gulf shores Alabama. She had a wonderful way with flowers and could make anything come to life. She had beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. Her 2 granddaughters were the light of her life. She was a wonderful wife, Mother and Mema.

Surviving is her husband of 48 years Thurmond Grady Sharpe, Jr.; Son Robert Nicholas (Bobby) Sharpe of Lexington; Granddaughters Riley Jane Sharpe and Josie Rae Sharpe both of Lexington; and Sisters Vicki Boozer (Jeff)of Hendersonville NC and Shirley Van Sickle (John) of Irmo.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Jane Edwards.

Services for Melinda will be held Thursday, July 2, 2026 at St Michael's Lutheran Church, 400 River Road, Columbia SC 29212 with interment in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 A.M. until 10:45, prior to the service at 11:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Leeza's Care Connection (Alzheimers), 201 St Andrew's Rd, Columbia SC 29210 or St Jude's Foundation.

Pallbearers will be:

Cliff Sharpe, Mark Sharpe, Brian Sharpe, Alex Sharpe, Terry Dent and Steve Dent

Honorary Pallbearers:

Johnny Newman, Pat Blatt Greg Smith, Steve Isom, John Van Sickle, David Maersch, Graham Golf