In Memoriam

Beverly Jean Tharpe (née Tripp)

November 21, 1948 – July 8, 2025

Beverly Jean Tharpe was called home by the Lord on July 8, 2025. A resident of Venice, FL and formerly of Colorado Springs, CO, and Laurel, MD, she was 76.

Born in Savage MD on November 21, 1948, as a child she was affectionately called "Teeny Girl Bev" by her close-knit community and enjoyed long summers in the country with the extended Tripp family in Manassas, VA.

Petite in stature, but limitless in her spirit and grit, Beverly attended Howard High School until the first quarter of the 10th grade when she left school to care for her ailing grandmother and younger siblings. She later returned to night school at the University of Maryland to complete her high school diploma in 1974 at the age of 26.

Beverly was married to William (Billy) Tharpe, also of Laurel, MD, who preceded her in death in 1986. They had no children.

In 2001, Beverly retired from 25 years of service with Prince George's County, MD, Public Schools, where she was a school bus driver. After retiring, she devoted her time to various Christian ministries. This led her initially to Colorado Springs, CO, and finally to Venice, FL. A widow for nearly 40 years, Bev served God in many capacities including work with the homeless, incarcerated women and youth, and shut-ins in their homes, hospitals and nursing homes.

She will be dearly remembered by family and friends for her sense of humor, sharp wit and ready laugh, as well as her generosity and willingness to help anyone. Her word was gold, and you could count on Beverly to see any task through to completion. This set her apart from others and made her friendship treasured by many.

Beverly was adventurous in retirement and not afraid to try her hand at new things and travel. In Colorado Springs, she enjoyed the mountains, hiking and biking. In Venice, she enjoyed the beautiful beaches, sunny skies and warm weather. Most of all, she enjoyed time with family and friends.

Beverly was a loving sister to Janet Mullis, Simon Dean, Debi Reed, Corbin Dean, Diane Dean and Billy Tripp. She was a beloved aunt to ten nieces and nephews and to 9 grandnieces and grandnephews. Very passionate about her Christian faith, Bev supported numerous charities.

A memorial service will be held for Beverly on September 26, 2025, at Bethel Assembly of God, in Savage, MD. She will be interred beside her husband, Billy, in Ivy Hill Cemetery in Laurel, MD. A private gathering of her family and friends to celebrate her life also will be held in Venice, FL in January 2026.

Donations in Beverly's honor can be made to the American Lung Association at lung.org.