News

7/20/2005 - Former probate judge dies

Tallapoosa County lost a great friend and pillar of the Dadeville community when Eldon Sharpe, 67, died Saturday.

Sharpe was a lifelong resident of Tallapoosa County and longtime county politician. Friends and co-workers knew him as a friendly man with compassion for helping other people. Sharpe wore many hats during his years of service to the community, including teacher, lawyer and public official.

"I'd known Eldon most of my life but really got to know him when he ran for county treasurer," said Lee Sims, a longtime friend. "He was a student at Auburn and ran on the platform of needing a 'part-time job'-and he won."

In addition to serving as county treasurer, Sharpe also served as a county tax assessor, state representative and judge of probate, an office he held from 1980 to 1989.

Current Tallapoosa County Probate Judge Gloria Sinclair said she remembered Sharpe for his kindness.

"He always treated me with respect and he was always such a gentleman," Sinclair said. "He was such a great help to me in learning about this position (of probate judge)."

Jean Hill also worked with Sharpe at the Tallapoosa County Office of Probate Judge. She said Sharpe was a compassionate person who was always willing to help those in need.

"He was a very special friend and he helped a lot of people when they were down and out," she said. He meant a lot to my family and we loved him."

Sims said that level of kindness and compassion was characteristic of Sharpe.

"He was never really a 'play by the rules' type of person. He would go out of his way to do whatever it took to help someone," he said.

According to Tallapoosa County Revenue Commissioner Linda Harris, Sharpe was well known throughout the county for his kindness and compassion for others.

"He had a wonderful personality-his door was always open," she said. "He knew so many people throughout the county by name and that really made people feel good."

After leaving public office in 1989, Sharpe continued to practice law in Dadeville for several years until he retired. He was also a member of First Baptist Church and the Elks and Masonic Lodges.

"I know he loved Tallapoosa County and its people and the people loved him," Harris said.

"He was quite an icon. He will be missed."

A memorial service for Sharpe is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Dadeville. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Alabama Funeral Homes in Dadeville.

Source: The Dadeville Record
By Amy Redd

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