Thomas Lipe

Mr. Thomas E. Lipe of Albemarle passed on May 1, 2018, at Bethany Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 96.

A native of Stanly County, Mr. Lipe was born in the Richfield/Millingport area, and graduated from Millingport High School in 1939. He served in the US Navy in World War II and worked at Collins and Aikman Corporation in Norwood for 41 years until retiring in 1986.  Mr. Lipe was a lifelong member of Salem United Methodist Church.

His lifelong sweetheart, Margaret Matze Lipe, preceded him in death in 2015 after 67 years of marriage. Mr. Lipe is survived by his son, Thomas Lipe, Jr., and daughter-in-law, Anne Lipe, of Damascus, MD, brother Herman Lipe of Richfield/Millingport, sister Aileen Myers of Lexington, sister-in-law Mary Matze Setzer of Mooresville, “granddaughter” Allison Nance of Albemarle, and innumerable nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and -nephews, and a universe of friends.

Mr. Lipe was a passionate college basketball fan, a gardener whose summers were spent helping Margaret make the family farm the world’s largest flower garden and whose winters were spent shelling pecans, and caregiver to many people. We are much the richer for knowing him and will miss him deeply.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Friday, May 4, 2018 at Hartsell Funeral Home - Albemarle. The funeral service will be on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Salem United Methodist Church, 20987 NC 73 Hwy, Albemarle, officiated by Rev. Steven Combs. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, 20987 NC 73 Hwy, Albemarle, NC. 28002 or Community Home Care & Hospice, 1024 Albemarle Road, Suite 904, Troy, NC. 27371.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Lipe family.