Date of birth: 11 Oct 1923
Date of death: 03 Mar 2012

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Burial Information

Section 10 (Click Here for Section Map)
Cemetery: Odd Fellows Cemetery
Plot: 0142-03
Status: Occupied

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Veteran Information

Branch: US ARMY AIR FORCE
Rank: 1st LIEUTENANT
War/Campaign: WORLD WAR II

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Notes

Byron B. Sharpe, Sr., 88, died Saturday, March 3, 2012 at home. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at Tchula Presbyterian Church with burial at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lexington.

Byron Baine Sharpe, Sr., was born on October 11, 1923, to Guy Phillip Sharpe and Erma Baine Sharpe of Tchula. He was a member of Tchula Presbyterian Church.

He was a graduate of Tchula High School and Mississippi State University where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. An accomplished clarinet player, he played for Tchula High School Band, MSU’s Famous Maroon Band and the Shriners Band.

Serving in World War II as an Air Force 1st Lieutenant, he was a fighter pilot and P-40 test pilot, an engineer for a B-29 bomber squadron, and was a member of the Caterpillar Club, having survived an emergency parachute ejection after a mid-air collision. After serving in World War II, Mr. Sharpe was the owner and operator of the Albino Plantation in Tchula until his retirement. Mr. Sharpe was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge and the Shriners. He was an avid golfer and also an ardent supporter of MSU athletics.

He was preceded, in death by his parents, his son, Ray Phillip Sharpe, and his brother, Dr. Guy P. Sharpe, Jr.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Malie Gwin Sharpe and by his two sons Byron Baine Sharpe, Jr. and wife Diane, and Paul Gwin Sharpe and wife Paula, grandchildren, Jennifer LeGoff (Jason), Baine Sharpe (Kathryn), Gwin Sharpe (Rayna), Durden Sharpe (Lacy), Elliott Sharpe, Ryan Sharpe, Chas Fulgham, and Mary Lauren Howard (Matt), and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Frank Wr. Gwin, Jr.

Serving as active pallbearers were his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers were Charles Carson, Dr. John Downer, Dr. David Flemming, Kenneth Foose, Henry Gordon, Bernard B. Jones, Mike Lammons, Crawford R. Logan, Dr. Raymond Morrissey, and the men of Tchula Presbyterian Church.

Memorials may be made to Palmer Home for Children, P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39701 or Tchula Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 937, Tchula, MS 39169.

More information, family relationships, and images may be found by CLICKING HERE (external link)

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