Virginia Dean Sharpe

Virginia Dean Sharpe (94) passed to the kingdom on September 28, 2015. She was born in Chicago on January 30, 1921, and spent her childhood in Terre Haute, IN. After completing high school in 1938, Virginia received a teaching certificate and a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce education at Indiana State Teachers College. From 1942-1945, she served as a Navy lieutenant supply officer in World War II. Following World War II, Virginia attended chiropractic school and became Board Certified in both Indiana and Michigan. She moved to Lewistown, Montana, in the early 1950s and established her own practice there. In the early 1960s, Virginia became a pilot and would often fly hundreds of miles for lunch with several other female pilots. Virginia’s delights included hiking, camping, snow shoeing, snow mobiling, calligraphy, cats and, of course, flying. At the age of 73, she hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with her daughter. The hike out of the Canyon proved daunting and a helicopter out provided rescue! Virginia was an active member of the St. James Episcopal Church in Lewistown and an advocate for Camp Marshal, an Episcopal Church camp located on Flathead Lake, MT. Virginia moved from Montana to North Carolina in 2007 so she could be close to her daughter’s family. Suffering from dementia, she took residence at the Cottage at Blakey Hall in Elon, NC. Virginia is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Sharpe. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Bray, son in law (Brian Bray), and her two granddaughters, Casey and Alexandra Bray. The family thanks The Cottage at Blakey Hall for their expert care and love during her final years. A special thanks to Margaret at The Cottage – Virginia loved Margaret! Virginia will be laid to rest in the Lewistown City Cemetery in Montana. McClure Funeral and Cremation Service in Graham are assisting the family. Condolences may be offered at www.mcclurefuneralservice.net