CHARLES KENNETH SHARPE passed away October 18, 2013 at his home at the age of 84. Known as the man who always wore a smile, Charles was born in Memphis on Friday, September 13, 1929 to Wyatt and Helen Sharpe. He graduated from Columbia Military Academy, Columbia, TN, attended Texas Christian University and graduated from Memphis State where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. During the Korean War Charles served with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers attached to the Air Force. After service, he joined his father in the construction business building highways and bridges. His entire business career was with W.L. Sharpe Construction Company, since 1976 as President. Charles devoted his life to his family and his work. He also enjoyed travel to faraway places especially to his home on a quiet island in the Bahamas where he loved sitting on the deck and watching the sunrise over the ocean. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Dorothy Sharpe Carey, and his first wife Carolyn Sellers Sharpe. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carol Tennison Sharpe; daughters Linda Maxey and husband Jerry, Cynthia Sharpe, Rebecca Sharpe Hibner; and son Ken Sharpe; three grandchildren, Jennifer Maxey, Brian Maxey (Michelle) and J. D. Hibner. He also leaves stepchildren Gwendolyn Tabb Graham, Kelly Cunningham (Bruce), Vivian Beaty (Stan); step-grandchildren Tennison and Graham Humphreys and Dylan, Daniel and Kate Cunningham and four nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 22 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Canale Funeral Directors, 2700 Union Avenue Extended. Following private burial, a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 23 at Lindenwood Christian Church, 2400 Union Avenue. As Charles was a lifelong member of Lindenwood and loved good music, the family requests that any memorials be made to The Minister of Music Discretionary Fund at Lindenwood. Canale Funeral Directors. (Published in The Commercial Appeal on October 21, 2013)