Sarah Kathryn Taylor Tharpe of Opelika, known as Kathie, went to be with the Lord in the early hours of June 15, 2023, at the age of 69. Born in Albemarle, North Carolina, she is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Arnold Craig Tharpe; her daughter Virginia Tharpe Cochran, son-in-law Christopher Cochran and her three cherished grandsons, William, Henry and Carter of Brentwood, Tennessee; her son William Taylor Tharpe of Chattanooga, Tennessee; her brother Glenn Mitchell Taylor and sister-in-law Marianne Taylor of Marietta, Georgia, and her sister Melinda Taylor Woller and brother-in-law Ronald Woller, of Decatur, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents Glenn Ellis Taylor and Sarah Jane White Taylor of Birmingham, Alabama.
Kathie found joy in many aspects of life. She was deeply committed to her church and “The Encouragers” Sunday school class at First Baptist Church of Opelika. Through her church, she mentored young women with devotions over breakfast or dinner with peach tea on Tuesday nights. She took delight in weekend trips to the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and the Forgotten Coast of Florida.
Kathie had a passion for decorating, especially during the holidays, and enjoyed expressing her creativity through painting and crafts. Kathie had a true servant’s heart, working for multiple non-profit organizations in Tennessee and Alabama throughout her long career, leaving a lasting impression on the communities she served. Above all else, her family brought her the greatest joy. She was a devoted wife, mother, grand-momma, sister and friend to all.
Visitation was held on Monday, June 19, 2023, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church of Opelika and Youth for Christ East Alabama in Kathie’s memory.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.