The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-09-27
MRS. SHARPE
BENEFACTOR
Activities Extended to Pro-
viding Medicine, Aid
ing Church, Schools
(Contributed)


body of Mrs. Dorothy n. Sharpe
was laid to rest among the noun
tains and people she has loved SO
we'll In all Edneyville township
there was probably no woman so
well beloved by many as was Mrs
Sharpe known to the older gen.
Grafton as DR.. Sharpe.
Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, Feb
ruary II, 1878. she moved with
her parents, Samuel P. and Polly
TX. Nickells, when seven years OF
age to Kansas City, Mo. On June
IN, 1900, she was married to
Amasa j. Sharpe of Ottawa, Kan.
In April, 1902, Mr.. Sharpe was
accidentally killed. Mrs. Sharpe
could not recover from the shock
and in 1908 was brought to these
mountains by friends who hoped
they would benefit her.
From the first her interest in
and love for her neighbors was
intense. Being a licensed pharma-
cist and knowing something of
"doctoring," she opened a small
log cabin drug store, down on
Reedy Patch. Hendersonville was
then the nearest place a sick per-
son could find help, so she was
welcomed in this work. Night or
day, cold or hot, far or near, she
never refused to go to the aid OF
one who needed her.
Soon she realized the need of
food and clothing and from
friends and relatives far and near
solicited help. Many a child had
never worn shoes until Mrs.
Sharpe supplied them. Th'\
church and school received her at
tention. A small chapel was built
on an acre of ground given by
Mrs. Sharpe and in this Sunday
school was conducted each Sun
day, and services occasionally by
the late Rev. Father Willcocks,
who was then rector of st. James,
Hendersonville. In those days the
long drive was made with horse
and buggy. Week days the chapel
was used as school. Later a
larger building was erected far
Their up the mountain and as many
as sixty were enrolled. The school
had two teachers and was known
as the Good Shepherd. Father
Lobdell was also interested in this
work and helped in its advance
ment. Many men and women now
tell that their only schooling was
received at the Good Shepherd.
The school was closed about 1913
as the county schools were i'm
proved and the need was not so
urgent.
Many boys and girls were sent
away to school through Mrs.
Sharpe's efforts. Although she had
no children of her own, there are
scores who will rise IN and call
her blessed. One of her greatest
pleasures during the last years
has been the visits from these,
her children.
Although her activities lessened
with the passing years, her inter-
est never did and seldom day
passed in which some person did
not come to her for help, advice
or sympathy. Hearing them was
always her greatest JOY.
Her last illness was of short
duration and was not considered
serious until a few hours before
she was taken to the Mountain
Home Sanitarium on Friday, Sep
TENDER %. On Saturday night fol-
lowing she passed into eternal
rest.
Funeral services were conduct
ed from st. PauPs church at Ed
NEVILLE by the Rev. Mr.. Neff,
rector and Father Sill of Shelby.
st. Pauls church and church
yard, with its men, women and
children gathered to pay their last
respects, was fitting tribute to
the good this one woman had been
able to accomplish.
We who knew her loved her for
her great love of all humanity,
her generosity and sense of hu-
NOR. Through all the years she
asked little and gave much.
Earth to earth, and dust to
dust"
Calmly, now the words we say
Left behind, we wait in trust
For the Resurrection Day.
Father, in thy gracious keeping,
Leave we now thy servant
sleeping-Amen.