Eileen Lackey Sharpe

Eileen Lackey Sharpe
HIDDENITE -- Mrs. Sharpe passed away at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville on March 22, 2004, just three weeks before her 95th birthday. She leaves a legacy of entrepreneurship, service and philanthropy to family, community, state and nation.
Born in Hiddenite, NC, she and her husband, Ruel Yount Sharpe, also a Hiddenite native, moved to Winston Salem in the 1930's. There together they established in 1941, Pilot Freight Carriers, Inc. From her position as wife and mother, she nurtured, encouraged and cajoled members of what was fondly called 'The Pilot Family' into a team of excellence. The company grew from a struggling enterprise to be the largest privately-held motor carrier in the United States. In 1981, forty years later, Pilot was sold to an Australian firm.
Eileen Sharpe's tradition of 'doing for others' was cultivated in the lap of her family. E.E. 'Cap' Lackey and Adeline Lackey instilled in their seven children that generosity and selfless service was 'the rent one paid' for the privilege of being on this blessed Earth. To that end, she spent her energies contributing her talents and intellect to projects that 'needed doing.'
During World War II, Sharpe volunteered with the American Red Cross in Winston Salem coordinating the nurses' program. A lifelong Methodist, she helped to grow the congregation of Maple Springs Methodist Church by serving for years as an adult Sunday school teacher, occasional pianist and organist, building committee member, president of the Methodist Women's Group, trustee and steward. Later, the Sharpe's joined Centenary Methodist Church where she remained a member until her death.
The Sharpe's were committed to improving the quality of life in Winston Salem and the 14 States and Canada in which their company had operated. The Sharpe's established The Pilot Foundation, The Eileen and R.Y. Sharpe Foundation and The Sharpe Fund at the Winston Salem Foundation. They contributed through the foundations and individually to many non-profit organizations throughout the US. To assist with the revitalizing of downtown Winston Salem, using the arts as a catalyst, they contributed the Water Garden in Winston Square at the Sawtooth Center for Visual Design.
At the age of 71, when most people might enjoy a well-earned retirement, Eileen and R.Y. Sharpe turned their creative energies and resources to the beloved village of their birth. They saw that the little farming, emerald mining and spa resort of their youth, had become mostly an area of folks employed in factories. Sharpe remembered the vibrant days of the Sulphur Springs Hotel and the tales her mother told of the scientist, Professor William E. Hidden, who was sent by Thomas Edison to explore the village's mineral riches. She saw that cultural stimulation was needed to help revitalize the area.
Thus, began her passion - the establishment in 1981 of The Hiddenite Center and Lucas Mansion Museum for Folklife and Cultural Arts. After acquiring and renovating the large and unusual turn-of-the-Century Victoria Home of the eccentric gem dealer, 'Diamond Jim' Lucas, Eileen Sharpe's 'dream' had a place from which to grow.
With the first and only Executive Director since the organization's inception, Dwaine Coley and Sharpe partnered to create an exhibits and educational institution. The Hiddenite Center and its staff serves a six-county region to perpetuate local history and culture, foster self-expression in the arts and crafts, and provide cultural and educational experiences to all within its sphere of influence. Sharpe served as Board Member Emeritus until her death.
To assure the quality of its resources and programs, the museum affiliated with Appalachian State University. There the Sharpe's established the Sharpe Chair of Fine and Applied Arts. For the past 21 years, the students and citizens of Alexander County have enjoyed the diverse programs and classes presented by the students and faculty of ASU.
Appalachian State University has honored Sharpe by recognizing her works with a Doctorate of Humane Letters (1986), the Dougherty Medallion (1999), and the Chancellor's Medallion for Distinguished Service (2000). In turn, The Hiddenite Center has earned various state, regional and national awards for the excellence of its programs.
To compliment the works of the Hiddenite Center and Museum, Sharpe undertook in 1989, another renovation project - the establishment of the Hidden Crystal Inn. Initially conceived as a bed and breakfast inn, later Sharpe expanded this award-winning inn to include a restaurant and a small conference center that has been operated by her family for the past several years.
In 1995 continuing her entrepreneurial spirit, she joined with other family members to acquire at auction, part of the land that comprised the former Rist Mine. The land, which is now the home of North American Emerald Mines, operated by her grandson, is the only production emerald mine on the North American Continent. It continues to garner acclaim for Hiddenite for the size and quality of the fine quality emeralds found there.
Among other honors, Sharpe has received are the James B. Hunt Literacy Award by the NC International Reading Association (1987), Special Recognition Award from the NC Museums Council (1984), America's 400th Anniversary Exemplary Service Award (1986), Outstanding Service to Alexander County by the County Commissioners (1985 & 1992), Lifetime Member Alexander County Hospital Board of Trustees (1982), Alexander County Citizen of the Year (1992), and numerous other awards.
It is significant that in the month of Eileen Sharpe's death, the shadow of her works continues to bring honor to her and the institutions she helped to birth and grow. The March 2004 issue of Our State Magazine featured a profile of her entitled 'The Jewel of Hiddenite' and the Sunday, March 21 edition of The Charlotte Observer in its Travel Section, featured the Lucas Mansion Museum and the antique toys and dolls collection that Sharpe assembled there. Eileen Lackey Sharpe wanted her life to make a difference. And it has.
Eileen Sharpe attended schools in Hiddenite and attended college at Asbury College, a small Methodist school in Willmore, Kentucky.
She was married to R.Y. Sharpe for 62 years until his death in 1988. They had three children, Shirley Sharpe Duncan, who is married to William B. Duncan of High Point, Keith Yount Sharpe of Winston Salem, and Lynn Sharpe Hill of Hiddenite and Blowing Rock. She is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Jane Lackey of Ormond Beach, FL; a sister, Dorothy Thomas of Hiddenite; and sisters-in-law, Mozelle Moose and Julie Mae Sturgill, both of Hiddenite; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Sharpe his wife Renee of Atlanta, GA, Matthew Sharpe and Leonora Sharpe, both of Winston Salem, Felicia Sharpe Doobrow and her husband Kent of Greensboro, Malcolm Duncan and his wife Deidre of Battleground, IN, Barry Hill Gennari and her husband Arthur of Winston Salem, and James King Hill, Jr. of Hiddenite; seven great grandchildren, James King Hill, III, and Crystal Lynn Hill, both of Mocksville, NC, Destinee Hill of Shelby, NC, Carly Doobrow of Greensboro, and Ian Gennari of Winston Salem and Zachary and Alexa Duncan of Battleground, IN; and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, and cousins with whom she enjoyed close and loving relationships. Of special note are her primary nurse and house manager, Juanita Mallard and her caregiver/housekeeper, Ruth Lackey. Both individuals gave her skilled and tender loving care during her long-term illness, as did many other professionals who assisted her.
There will be a Special Reception at the Hiddenite Center Education Building from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24th. A graveside service will be conducted at Rocky Springs Methodist Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 25th. A Memorial Service will follow at 11 a.m. at the Hiddenite Center. Presiding will be Dwaine Coley and the Reverends Paul Lowder of Greensboro and Roland Barnhart of Centenary Church in Winston Salem.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a contribution be made to The Hiddenite Center, P.O. Box 311, Hiddenite, NC 28636.
Adams Funeral Home in Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements.