Emma Lea Elledge

Mrs. Emma Lea Tharpe Elledge, 85, of 1303 Royalty Circle, Statesville, left her earthly home for her heavenly home on May 9, 2013. Mrs. Elledge was born March 11, 1928 in Iredell County and was the daughter of the late Gillie Webb Tharpe and Lila Hunter Tharpe. She was a graduate of Harmony High School, class of 1945 and on June 30, 1946 she married Jack Buel Elledge, who survives. She was a member of Peoples Church (formerly Cochran Street Baptist) and was a licensed beautician for forty years. She loved sports and was a big Atlanta Braves baseball fan, and ardent Duke University basketball enthusiast, and a loyal Appalachian State University football supporter. In addition to her husband of 66 years, she is survived by two sons, Jack Lee Elledge (LaRonda Fox Feimster, Fianc�e) of Statesville, Dennis Tharpe Elledge (Laura) of Columbia, SC., one granddaughter, Jaclyn Elledge Slagle (Wesley) of Atlanta, GA, one grandson, Bryan Dennis Elledge (Betsy) of Columbia, SC, four great grandchildren, and one sister, Mary Jo Anderson of Statesville, and two special ladies in her life, Jean Tucker Elledge and Kay Richardson Elledge, the mothers of her beloved grandchildren. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to all family and friends who visited during her extended illness. Sincere gratitude is conveyed to Autumn Care and Hospice nurses and staff with a special thank you to Ellie, Joann, Katie, Juanita, Sheila, Nancy, Debbie, Tammy and Diane for their attentive care and friendship. You certainly made days much better with your compassion. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, May 12, 2013, at 4:00 PM at her home church, Holly Springs Baptist with Rev. Ervel Jones and Rev. Roscoe Lilly officiating. Burial will follow in the Tharpe Family plot in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday, May 11, 2013, from 7:00 until 8:30 pm at Nicholson Funeral Home. Active pallbearers will be Michael Anderson, Kenneth Brooks, Jim Collins, Chris Davidson, Clarence Hart, Walt Johnson, Joe Tharpe and John Tharpe. Memorials may be made to Holly Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Emma Lea Elledge.