Benny Sharpe

Benny H. Sharpe, 70, of Taylorsville, formerly of the Lake Norman area, died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 21, 2007, in Taylorsville. Mr. Sharpe was born Aug. 4, 1936 in Taylorsville, and was the son of Conway and Irene Sharpe of Taylorsville. Benny was a career pilot and retired from Piedmont/US Airways in 1991 as captain, after 24 years of dedicated service. After his retirement, he along with his wife, Brenda, flew their C-185 Amphibian Aircraft to such places as Alaska, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, as well as most of the United States. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a member of the Lee Masonic Lodge #253 in Taylorsville where he had served as Past President. Benny is survived by his beloved wife, Brenda B. Sharpe; one son, Benny H. Sharpe, Jr. of Taylorsville; one daughter, Constance Irene Sharpe of Raleigh; one brother, Walter Lee Sharpe of Taylorsville; three step-sons, David Patton and his wife, Dianne, of Kernersville, Mike Patton and his wife, Debra, of Taylorsville, and Jack Patton and his dear companion, Susan Walker, of Winston-Salem; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving is the mother of his children, Nancy K. Sharpe of Taylorsville. Services celebrating Benny's life were held at 11 a.m. Monday at Rocky Mount United Methodist Church in Troutman with the Rev. Chris Fitzgerald, the Rev. Lynn Hawkins, and the Rev. Jamie Hamrick officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with Masonic rites accorded by the Lee Masonic Lodge #253 of Taylorsville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rocky Mount United Methodist Church, 1739 Perth Road, Troutman, NC 28166; or the Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605-4277. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.legacy.com. Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home served the Sharpe family.