Barbara Ann Tharpe

Barbara Ann Tharpe, 75, of Niceville, FL, gained her angel wings on May 21, 2019 at Carington Manor in Crestview FL.

Barbara was born in Newfoundland Canada to Leonard and Margret Nelson on April 7, 1944.  She graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, FL in 1962.  She married TSGT Ret. Roy Colin Tharpe on April 6, 1963 at Hurlburt Field, FL. She worked as a seamstress for Vanity Fair for 5 years.  She worked at Vanguard Bank as a data processor and a bank teller for 20 years. She was involved in volunteer work with the Angels Attic, she served as a Eucharistic Minister at Holy Name of Jesus and the yearly tree decorating at Vanguard Bank.  She and her husband were involved with a country and western line dancing group known as the Western Rovers for many years.  They enjoyed dancing throughout the community.  They danced at several nursing homes in the area as well as the Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival.  They were a part of teaching dance lessons with the Western Rovers at the Amvets in Valparaiso FL as well as the former Texas night club in Fort Walton Beach.  Barbara enjoyed riding with her husband Colin on his Harley Davidson around the local area with dear friends as well as traveling to the Grand Canyon to ride.  Barbara enjoyed sewing, making crafts and scrapbooking with her sisters, daughter and nieces.  She enjoyed going to softball games to watch her daughters and granddaughter play ball.  She enjoyed watching both her grandsons play ball.  She enjoyed relaxing by her pool with her family and cooking meals for everyone.

Barbara was preceded in death by her father and mother Leonard and Margaret Nelson, brother Edwin Joseph Nelson and sister Georgina Edwards. 

Barbara is survived by Her loving husband of 56 years Roy Colin Tharpe, daughter Vanise (Willie) Hines of Niceville FL, Trina (Jim) Tucker of Madisonville LA. Sister Sandra (Berry) Drake of Niceville, FL, sister Sherry Henry of Pensacola FL, brother Leonard (Dawn) Nelson of Fort Walton Beach FL, and sister Debra (Stewart) Wollard of Atmore AL.  Grandchildren Devan Hines, Caden Tucker and Grayson Hines.  Great grandson Declan.

There will be a time of Visitation held from 5:00-7:00 P.M. on 29 May 2019 at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home, Niceville, FL.

Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 A.M. 30 May 2019 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church Niceville, FL with Father Stephen Voyt of Holy Name of Jesus, officiating.   Interment will follow in Heritage Gardens Cemetery.

The family of Barbara wishes to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff and nurses of Carington Manor.  Your kindness, compassion and generosity have been a blessing to our family.  We will forever be grateful to all of you for caring for her.  Emerald Coast Hospice for your caring and compassion.

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