The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Wilma Sharpe of Walla Walla, Washington, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister passed away March 4, 2012 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.

She was born in Tupelo, Oklahoma on February 4, 1927 to Hiram and Zelma Turner and was the second of five children. She graduated from Grand Coulee High School in Grand Coulee, Washington. She then attended Kinman Business College in Spokane, Washington. While attending college, friends introduced her to Gilbert Sharpe from Pomeroy, Washington. They were married June 10,1950 and resided in Pomeroy, Washington. She worked for the Conservation Office and Pomeroy Memorial Hospital. In 1967 the family moved to Waitsburg, Washington. She began work at the Waitsburg American West Bank branch and was Operations Supervisor upon her retirement in 1987. In 2007 Gil and Wilma moved to the Washington Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla.

She enjoyed sewing, baking, cooking, and family gatherings. She was also active in several community organizations and enjoyed learning more about computers. She participated in Bible Study Fellowship in Walla Walla was a member of the Waitsburg Central Christian Church. In August of 2010 she and her husband celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a very special family gathering in Walla Walla.

She is survived by two brothers Leon Turner of Henderson, Nevada and Joe Turner of Green Valley, Arizona; her husband Gilbert of Walla Walla; daughters Susan (Joe) Ledbetter of Walla Walla, Patricia (Tim) Olson of Missoula, Montana and son Michael Sharpe of Portland, Oregon; grandchildren Crystal Ledbetter of Las Vegas, Nevada and Chareese Ledbetter of Walla Walla; Sarah and spouse Tyler Kitzan of Palmer, Alaska and Garrett Olson of Missoula, Montana. She was preceded in death by her parents, her only sister Onita Beckstead, and older brother Neal Turner.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the Waitsburg Central Christian Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Aid Center in Walla Walla, Washington or a charity of choice.