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Charles Shuford Tharpe, 82 of Cullen, died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 6, with his family by his side. Charles was born on Feb. 28, 1940, to Frances Shuford Tharpe and Luther Edd Tharpe. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 41 years, Brenda Elder Tharpe and his devoted nephew, Jonathan Scot Jarman.

He is survived by one son, Marc Tharpe of Cullen; two daughters, Susan Hudson (Ned) of Lynchburg and Holly Perrow (Turner) of Galt’s Mill; one sister, Brenda Jarman (Bob) of Cullen; six grandchildren, Coty Clarke (Allen), Holly Hudson, Ned Hudson, Ella Epps Perrow, Caroline Perrow, Tripp Perrow; one great grandson, Blayne Clarke; Rob Jarman and several other nieces and nephews.

Charles also has two special friends, Angel Cunningham and Ashanta Henry, which were phenomenal in his care and companionship over the past year, who affectionately referred to him as “Daddy; “they had a bond which made them more like family than friends. Also, thank you to the staff at Runk and Pratt, Leesville Road, and Hospice of Central Virginia.

Charles was a jack-of-all-trades and never met a stranger. During his lifetime he served in the U.S. Navy, was an entrepreneur, a buyer for the tobacco market, served on the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors, an avid fisherman, gardener and chef. He also had an incredible wink and was affectionately known as “the whistler”, which always engaged others. Charles’ greatest joy was spending time with his family, friends and grandchildren who called him “Pops.” There are way too many “Charles” stories to count that typically ensue a lot of laughter. May his family and friends tell these stories over and over to keep his memory alive.

The family received friends at Puckett Funeral Home in Farmville on Sunday January 8, from 6 – 8 p.m. A funeral service was held at Cullen Baptist Church on Monday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m., with internment at Cullen Baptist Church Cemetery. Immediately following, the family invited everyone to join them for a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Charles to Valor Farm, Altavista or National Center for Healthy Veterans (www.healthyveterans.org)

Puckett Funeral Home of Farmville is serving the family.