Johnnie Fletcher Tharp Sr., a native of Grove Hill and resident of Washington County, died Aug. 27, 2008, at a local nursing facility after a brief illness of acute leukemia and pneumonia. He was 87 years of age. A U.S. Navy veteran of WWII, he retired as chief of security at Searcy Hospital in Mt. Vernon after 45 years. He was a member and deacon of Liberty Baptist Church and a member of Alabama Peace Officers Association. His wife of 61 years, Annie Laura Young Tharp and a son, Johnnie Fletcher Tharp Jr. preceded him in death.

Survivors include two daughters, Connie T. (Steven) Grimes of Chatom and Bonnie A. (Laverne) Baxter of Gulf Shores; five grandchildren, Jason N. (Glenda) Grimes of Henderson, Nev., Samantha G. (Tony) Sanks of Brewton, Diana G. (Will) Colvin of Waynesboro, Miss., Christopher R. Baxter and Colby R. Baxter, both of Gulf Shores; two great-grandchildren, Juliana N. Grimes and Carabeth O. Grimes, both of Henderson; and one sister, Lena Ellen Davis of Sieverville, Tenn.

Funeral services were Aug. 30 at Liberty Baptist Church in Fairford with interment in the church cemetery under the direction of Lathan Funeral Home of Chatom.