Michael Tharpe

Mr. Michael O’Neil Tharpe was born November 27, 1962, to the parents of Odell and Wanda Faye Tharpe in Paris, Tennessee. Michael’s courageous life came to an end when God called him to his heavenly home on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 9:20 pm.

 Michael accepted Christ and was baptized at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Puryear Tennessee under the leadership of the late Pastor Alvandon Taylor.

 Michael attended the Henry County School system and was a 1981 graduate of Henry County High School in Paris, Tennessee. Michael received an athletic scholarship to Austin Peay State University to play baseball in Clarksville, Tennessee. He was blessed throughout his schooling and graduated in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree.

Michael married Ramona Kinel in 1985. This love, partnership and friendship has span over 40 years. This union was blessed with a son Justin Tharpe.

 Michael was employed by Tennessee Valley Authority on August 27, 1990, in New Johnsonville, Tennessee. In July of 1996 he was injured in an explosion on the Job and sustained permanent injuries that he has suffered from until his death.

 Although he was not able to function physically, he fought the good fight of faith and was surrounded by his family and his devoted wife to receive the therapies and help that was needed to maintain his life.

 Before his accident he loved to play baseball and was very good. He also enjoyed drawing and was deemed the family artist. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially football and softball and watching movies with his family.

 Michael is preceded in death by his mother Wanda Tharpe; grandparents: Garfield and Louise Diggs; and John and Estella Tharpe, father-in-law, Kenny Upchurch, and Ruth Porter; and sister-in-law, Candy Porter.

Those left to cherish Michael’s memories are his loving and devoted wife: Ramona; sons: Justin Tharpe and Andrew Upchurch; father: Odell Tharpe; brother: Patrick Tharpe; aunts: Equilla Kendley, Katherine Walls and Barbara Tharpe; special mother-in-law: Linda Upchurch sisters -in-law: Angelita Upchurch and Nina Upchurch; brothers-in-law: Don Porter and Richard Porter, Nakia and Brandon Upchurch; nieces: Kennedy Tharpe and Raven Tharpe; uncle Robert Earl Tharpe, nephew: Braylon Tharpe; special friends: Jane Triplet, Johnny Taylor and Robert McCutcheon. A host of cousins and friends on both sides of the family.