Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
BirthJan 22, 1927, Caswell County, North Carolina [281]
DeathApr 4, 2020, Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland [30213]
BurialAlamance Memorial Park, 4039 S Church St, Alamance County, North Carolina [30213]
FatherErasmus Hugh OAKLEY (1892-1950)
MotherAddie Sue RUDD (1896-1967)
Spouses
Marriage1947 [281]
Marriage1968 [30211]
No Children
Obituary Online notes for Annie Lou OAKLEY
Known for most of her life as "Lou," Annie Lou was also known as Lou Sharpe and Lou Volker at various times in her life. The youngest of six children, Lou grew up during the depression on a tobacco farm in rural North Carolina.
During her high school years after the family moved to Alamance County near Burlington, Lou excelled in playing basketball for Elon College High School. As the team captain, she led the Eagles to the Alamance County championship in 1945.
In 1947, Lou married John Harold Sharpe who lived on highway 70 about a half mile west of the Oakleys. After his graduation from NC State College in Raleigh, the couple eventually landed in Salisbury, Maryland where Harold was recruited by Frank Perdue to eventually be promoted as General Manager of Perdue Farms. In Salisbury, Lou gave birth to two children, Joan Linda Sharpe and John Harold Sharpe, II, who survive her. Lou later characterized her years with Harold and her young children in Salisbury as the happiest days of her life.
In December 1959, tragedy befell the family when Harold died in a private plane accident leaving Lou as a young widow with two small children. Rather than uprooting the family and returning to North Carolina, Lou made the decision to stay in Salisbury, Maryland where she and Harold had made many friends and the children had already started school.
Lou, always dedicated to being the best mother she could be, attended and graduated from the secretarial course at a local business school so that she could rejoin the work force and support her children as a single parent. Later in life, Lou also took the Certified Nursing Assistant course at Wor-Wic Community College and cared for a number of elderly patients in their homes.
In 1968, Lou married Walter Volker of Chestertown, Maryland who had recently reenacted the historic post-revolutionary war ride of Lt. Col. Tench Tilghman, General Washington's aide-de-camp. The family enjoyed life in Salisbury and often spent weekends with their out-of-town family members and local friends on their houseboat, the H.B. Annie Lou.
Throughout her life Lou's passion was to be the best wife, mother and homemaker she could possibly be. Friends and relatives will remember her especially for her coconut cakes, deviled eggs, fruit pizzas and many other delicious and creative dishes.
Lou was baptized as a Christian believer, securing her place in eternity. At various times throughout her life she was an active member of Prospect Hill Primitive Baptist Church (Caswell County), St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Family Ministries Fellowship in Bridgeville, Del., Holy Trinity Cathedral (Anglican) in Berlin, MD, and St. Thomas the Disciple Anglican Church in Salisbury.
In addition to her children, Lou is survived by many nieces and nephews, most living in North Carolina.
Inscription
Precious Mother
Gravesite Details
Annie Lou is buried next to her first husband, John Harold Sharpe, in the Veterans section of Alamance Memorial Park [30213]
During her high school years after the family moved to Alamance County near Burlington, Lou excelled in playing basketball for Elon College High School. As the team captain, she led the Eagles to the Alamance County championship in 1945.
In 1947, Lou married John Harold Sharpe who lived on highway 70 about a half mile west of the Oakleys. After his graduation from NC State College in Raleigh, the couple eventually landed in Salisbury, Maryland where Harold was recruited by Frank Perdue to eventually be promoted as General Manager of Perdue Farms. In Salisbury, Lou gave birth to two children, Joan Linda Sharpe and John Harold Sharpe, II, who survive her. Lou later characterized her years with Harold and her young children in Salisbury as the happiest days of her life.
In December 1959, tragedy befell the family when Harold died in a private plane accident leaving Lou as a young widow with two small children. Rather than uprooting the family and returning to North Carolina, Lou made the decision to stay in Salisbury, Maryland where she and Harold had made many friends and the children had already started school.
Lou, always dedicated to being the best mother she could be, attended and graduated from the secretarial course at a local business school so that she could rejoin the work force and support her children as a single parent. Later in life, Lou also took the Certified Nursing Assistant course at Wor-Wic Community College and cared for a number of elderly patients in their homes.
In 1968, Lou married Walter Volker of Chestertown, Maryland who had recently reenacted the historic post-revolutionary war ride of Lt. Col. Tench Tilghman, General Washington's aide-de-camp. The family enjoyed life in Salisbury and often spent weekends with their out-of-town family members and local friends on their houseboat, the H.B. Annie Lou.
Throughout her life Lou's passion was to be the best wife, mother and homemaker she could possibly be. Friends and relatives will remember her especially for her coconut cakes, deviled eggs, fruit pizzas and many other delicious and creative dishes.
Lou was baptized as a Christian believer, securing her place in eternity. At various times throughout her life she was an active member of Prospect Hill Primitive Baptist Church (Caswell County), St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Family Ministries Fellowship in Bridgeville, Del., Holy Trinity Cathedral (Anglican) in Berlin, MD, and St. Thomas the Disciple Anglican Church in Salisbury.
In addition to her children, Lou is survived by many nieces and nephews, most living in North Carolina.
Inscription
Precious Mother
Gravesite Details
Annie Lou is buried next to her first husband, John Harold Sharpe, in the Veterans section of Alamance Memorial Park [30213]
Obituary Online notes for John Harold (Spouse 1)
Harold grew up on farmland much of which was sold to Alamance Memorial park, where he is buried.
He served as an aviation machinist in the Pacific theater during WWII.
He married Annie Lou Oakley and had two children, Joan Linda Sharpe and John Harold Sharpe, II.
While working as the first general manager for Perdue Farms in Salisbury, MD, he flew a rented plane to visit his parents in Burlington, NC after Christmas and died on the return trip when his airplane crashed in Tangier Sound near Crisfield, MD. [30212]
He served as an aviation machinist in the Pacific theater during WWII.
He married Annie Lou Oakley and had two children, Joan Linda Sharpe and John Harold Sharpe, II.
While working as the first general manager for Perdue Farms in Salisbury, MD, he flew a rented plane to visit his parents in Burlington, NC after Christmas and died on the return trip when his airplane crashed in Tangier Sound near Crisfield, MD. [30212]
Obituary Online notes for Walter F. (Spouse 2)
Walter F. Volker
SALISBURY—Walter F. Volker, 89, of Salisbury passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2013, just 10 days away from his 90th birthday.
Walt was born on June 7, 1923, in Baltimore to his parents, the late Walter H. Volker and Anna M. Hahn. His sister, Carolyn, predeceased him in 2009. Growing up in Baltimore, Walt attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, where he competed in track and field. Walt was proud to have served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, serving aboard the patrol frigate USS Peoria, as well as other assignments defending the eastern seaboard from German U-boats.
Walt learned to love the Eastern Shore of Maryland when his family vacationed in Betterton, Md., at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. He graduated from Washington College in 1951 and later settled in Chestertown after graduation. After graduating from a life insurance marketing course at Purdue University in 1954, Walt opened an independent insurance agency selling for American Life and Health, Connecticut Mutual and Guarantee Trust Life, among many other fine insurance companies. Walt was known for his dedicated service to his insurance clients and served as president of the Delmarva Association of Life Underwriters from 1980 to 1981.
Walt's claim to fame was captured when he reenacted the historic ride of Lt. Col. Tench Tilghman to promote the first Chestertown Tea Party celebration in 1967. Tilghman was George Washington's aide de camp who took the news of Cornwallis' surrender to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Walt replicated the journey by boat and horseback and was forever known for repeating the historic event.
In 1968, Walt married the former Annie Lou (Oakley) Sharpe and became a stepfather to Lou's children. The family enjoyed life in Salisbury and often spent weekends on their houseboat, the H.B. Annie Lou.
During midlife, Walt made a faith commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, securing his place in eternity. During this period of his life, Walt was at various times active in the ministries of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Salisbury, Family Ministries Fellowship in Bridgeville and Holy Trinity Cathedral (Anglican) in Berlin, as well as serving as the chef during Episcopal Cursillo retreats.
Walt is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Lou; stepdaughter, Joan Sharpe of Virginia Beach, Va.,; stepson, John Sharpe of Salisbury; nephews, Mike Coakley of Chestertown, Jim Taylor of Towson, Troy Taylor of Annapolis; niece, Karen (Coakley) Evans of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; and many clients and friends.
A visitation will be held at Holloway Funeral Home Thursday evening, June 6, from 6-8 p.m. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Walt's birthday, June 7, at 2 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place at the Still Pond Cemetery in Kent County at 11 a.m. Monday, June 10.
Memorial donations may be made in honor of Walt to Holy Trinity Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, Berlin, MD 21811.
Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home PA at 501 Snow Hill Road in Salisbury. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family. [55614]
SALISBURY—Walter F. Volker, 89, of Salisbury passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2013, just 10 days away from his 90th birthday.
Walt was born on June 7, 1923, in Baltimore to his parents, the late Walter H. Volker and Anna M. Hahn. His sister, Carolyn, predeceased him in 2009. Growing up in Baltimore, Walt attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, where he competed in track and field. Walt was proud to have served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, serving aboard the patrol frigate USS Peoria, as well as other assignments defending the eastern seaboard from German U-boats.
Walt learned to love the Eastern Shore of Maryland when his family vacationed in Betterton, Md., at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. He graduated from Washington College in 1951 and later settled in Chestertown after graduation. After graduating from a life insurance marketing course at Purdue University in 1954, Walt opened an independent insurance agency selling for American Life and Health, Connecticut Mutual and Guarantee Trust Life, among many other fine insurance companies. Walt was known for his dedicated service to his insurance clients and served as president of the Delmarva Association of Life Underwriters from 1980 to 1981.
Walt's claim to fame was captured when he reenacted the historic ride of Lt. Col. Tench Tilghman to promote the first Chestertown Tea Party celebration in 1967. Tilghman was George Washington's aide de camp who took the news of Cornwallis' surrender to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Walt replicated the journey by boat and horseback and was forever known for repeating the historic event.
In 1968, Walt married the former Annie Lou (Oakley) Sharpe and became a stepfather to Lou's children. The family enjoyed life in Salisbury and often spent weekends on their houseboat, the H.B. Annie Lou.
During midlife, Walt made a faith commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, securing his place in eternity. During this period of his life, Walt was at various times active in the ministries of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Salisbury, Family Ministries Fellowship in Bridgeville and Holy Trinity Cathedral (Anglican) in Berlin, as well as serving as the chef during Episcopal Cursillo retreats.
Walt is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Lou; stepdaughter, Joan Sharpe of Virginia Beach, Va.,; stepson, John Sharpe of Salisbury; nephews, Mike Coakley of Chestertown, Jim Taylor of Towson, Troy Taylor of Annapolis; niece, Karen (Coakley) Evans of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; and many clients and friends.
A visitation will be held at Holloway Funeral Home Thursday evening, June 6, from 6-8 p.m. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Walt's birthday, June 7, at 2 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place at the Still Pond Cemetery in Kent County at 11 a.m. Monday, June 10.
Memorial donations may be made in honor of Walt to Holy Trinity Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, Berlin, MD 21811.
Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home PA at 501 Snow Hill Road in Salisbury. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family. [55614]