SUMNER — Doyle Eugene Tharp, age 88, a farmer and gin manager, died Wednesday, June 12, at his home.
Visitation is Saturday, June 15, 10-11 a.m. at Meredith Nowell Funeral Home in Clarksdale.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday June 15, at Meredith Nowell Funeral Home with burial in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Meredith Nowell Funeral Home in Clarksdale is handling the arrangements.
Born November 29, 1935, to Earnest and Leona Upchurch Tharp, Doyle grew up in Rome with his parents and five siblings.
Doyle met the love of his life, Carolyn Jenkins Tharp in 1953. They were married on April 7, 1954, by the Justice of the Peace in Sumner. Their love for each other was immense and held God at the center.
He was a loving and giving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend to many. He had a strong work ethic that he instilled in his family. He was a farmer and a cotton gin manager for 64 years, in which he retired at the age of 84. He had the ability to solve any problem and fabricate machinery if needed.
He was a devoted Christian man and a member of the Sumner Church of God, where he taught Sunday school and led the choir for many years.
Doyle joined the National Guard Armory in 1952. He enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Germany during the Korean War.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Carolyn Jenkins Tharp; son, Jackie (Shay) Tharp of Sebastopol; daughters, Sherry (David) Abney of Atlanta, Ga. and Pam (Glenn) Woodward of Cleveland; sister, Mary Steed of Drew; nine grandchildren, Valerie Abney-Smith (Brian Smith), Matt (Ellie) Abney, Jessica Tharp, Bradley (Jennifer) Tharp, Nathan (Sherri) Woodward, Garrit (Lacey) Tharp, Emily (Dustin) McIntyre, Colton (Leah) Tharp and Ethan Tharp; and 17 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Leona Upchurch Tharp; brothers, Robert and Harold Tharp; sisters, Mildred Stone and Janie Kelly; and great-grandson, Walker Woodward.
Doyle, a beacon of unwavering love and kindness, has left a lasting mark on the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Pallbearers include Nathan Woodward, Bradley Tharp, Garrit Tharp, Colton Tharp, Ethan Tharp, Matt Abney, Brian Smith and Dustin McIntyre.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Doyle Tharp to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
