Dr. Frances R. Tharpe

Year Inducted: 2022

Dr. Frances Roope Tharpe was born December 8, 1937 in the rural eastern section of Wilkes County to Willie Freelin Roope and Levaude Bryant Roope. Her parents built a home and moved to Hays, North Carolina where she resided until college. College allowed for Frances to experience some time in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. However, she soon found herself back in Wilkes County and settling down to begin a career and family. Frances married Oliver Grover “O.G” Tharpe, and they had two sons and one daughter: Charles Grover, Lea Ann, and Greg Alan. They had six grandchildren: Graylan, Grant, Haley, Jake, Hunter, and Gracie. She now has an additional three great-grandchildren: Tanner, Eva, and Brylen.

Frances entered Mountain View Elementary School at the age of five and graduated from Mountain View High School at age seventeen. She completed her Bachelors of Science (B.S.) at Appalachian State Teacher’s College in just three years. Frances them earned a certificate of Advanced Studies, a Masters of Education (M.Ed.) and a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She began her teaching career in home economics education at North Wilkes High School at age twenty. Frances then left North High to begin a new career in educational administration. After serving as assistant principal at Wilkesboro Elementary School, she became assistant principal at Mountain View Elementary School. She later served as principal at East Wilkes High School and Mountain View Elementary School. Frances retired after 43 years of dedication to Wilkes County Schools. After retirement, Frances worked two short-term contracts with Wilkes County Schools. In those contracts, she served as assistant to the principal at Central Wilkes Middle School and served as interim director at Child Nutrition/School Food Services.

Frances was inducted as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Honors Society, an organization of key women educators, and Omicron Nu National Honors Society. She served two years as President of Delta Kappa Gamma-Delta Chi. Also, she has served as President and active member of the organization of Wilkes County Retired School Personnel. An honorable accomplishment within this group was their publication of “Lest We Forget” Volume II. From 2006-2010, Frances was a member of the Wilkes County Board of Education. She enjoyed the opportunity to represent the school system. Frances has been involved in several civic and charitable organizations. She served four years on the Wilkes County Hall of Fame Board. She is a current member of the North Wilkes Viking Crew and the North Wilkes High School Hall of Fame. Frances serves as Vice President of the North Wilkesboro Chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Other memberships include the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association and the National Education Association.

Aside from committees and elected positions, Frances is a member of Maple Grove Baptist Church. She continues to play both the piano and organ at her church. While partnering with the church, Frances has made countless donations to local and foreign missions projects. Her dedication to Wilkes County Schools is also represented by the numerous donations to classroom teachers through “Donors Choose”, as well as private donations given at individual schools. She contributes to many other charities and nonprofit organizations yearly.

In her free time, she finds ways to continuously support and spend time her family and friends. She is a role model for not only her family but anyone that has known her. Friends and family feel that she serves as the embodiment of the quote, “The reward of a thing well done is having done it.” -Ralph Waldo Emmerson