GEORGIA, Jan. 26 – William Howard Sharpe Jr., 80, of Blackshear, GA and formerly of Arvonia, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. He was born July 7, 1929 to the late William Howard Sharpe Sr. and Janie Poe Sharpe. During the final months of his difficult and courageous race, “Papa” was a source of inspiration and courage to all those who knew him. He was preceded in death by two brothers, James 'Buck' Sharpe and Frank Sharpe.

He is survived by his children, Edith Sharpe Gunter and husband, Randall of Blackshear, GA, Jerry Sharpe and wife, Jane of Fork Union, Kay Sharpe Stone of Blackshear, GA, Blake Sharpe and wife, Vanessa of Dillwyn, and Donna Sharpe Linthicum and husband, Walter of Arvonia; nine grandchildren, Steve Gunter and wife, Anna of Waycross, GA, Robert Gunter and wife, Hannah of Gordonsville, Bryan Gunter and wife, Amy of Rose Hill, Brandi Sharpe Goff and husband, Brad of Mineral, Jason Sharpe and wife, Beth of Scottsville, Tiffany Hayes and Toni Hayes of Blackshear, GA, Ryan Sharpe of Dillwyn, and Austin Linthicum of Arvonia; 13 great-grandchildren, Brooke Colley, Ashley Gunter, Dalton Gunter, Harley Gunter, Angel Thompson, Rhianna Carter, Brendon Carter, Courtney Gunter, Chris Powell, Todd Powell, Nick Hachey, Madison Gunter, and Talmadge Gunter; one great-great-grandchild, Brileigh Colley; two sisters, Marie Barker of New Canton and Gladys Wharam of Arvonia and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Sharpe was a member of Youmans Chapel in Blackshear, GA.

Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 22 at Cedar Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery.

Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn, was in charge of arrangements.