Emma Sharpe Mackley

On July 26, 2014, Emma Ruth Sharpe Mackley, 82, died peacefully with her daughters at her side. A native of Burlington, Ruth received her Bachelor's degree from Elon College and taught for two years. Ruth and Ernie married in 1959 and Ruth dedicated herself to caring for her family. As a mother, she was one of her daughters' first and best teachers and she inspired their love of literature and art. As grandparents, Ruth and Ernie loved spending time with their grandsons, their pride, and joy. Following his retirement from NASA, Ernie and Ruth moved from Hampton to Williamsburg, Va.
Daughters Anna Mackley of Richmond, Va., Jane Mackley Hohensee of Williamsburg, Va.; son-in-law Roger Hohensee and grandsons Matthew White and Benjamin Cobb, survive Ruth. Also surviving are Ruth's sisters and their spouses, Eleanor and Fred Waynick of Yorktown, Va.. and Dot and G.C. Davis of Supply, N.C. and Raleigh, N.C.; sister-in-law Louise Sharpe Dodson of Burlington, and many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ernie; parents, Jesse F. Sharpe and Charlie P. Sharpe; sisters, Leatrice Sharpe Phillippe and Jeanne Mae Sharpe Dodson; brothers, Haldean Sharpe, Charlie P. Sharpe Jr., and Jackie Sharpe.
We are grateful to Ruth's entire Windsor Meade "family" who enriched her life, especially the loving Health Care staff who provided compassionate, skilled care.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2014. at 1 p.m. at St. Martins Episcopal Church, 1333 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Va. 23185 with a reception following at Windsor Meade of Williamsburg.  Due to parking constraints, carpooling to the service and reception is recommended. In honor of Ruth, memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Hampton, Virginia where Ruth and Ernie were members or to the American Lung Association, or to Williamsburg Regional Public Library.