Lyons Ga Tales of the Altamaha

Thomas Ross Sharpe, a native of Tattnall and Toombs Counties was most well-known for organizing the development of the Altamaha Electric Membership Co-op.  He lived a life full of service to others within these counties from October 30, 1893 to January 28, 1968.  His great-great grandfather, John Sharpe, was a Revolutionary War veteran who arrived in Georgia shortly after the end of the war.  John Sharpe moved his family to the north bank of the Altamaha River in the late 1790′s. Thomas Sharpe’s grandfather, Robert M. Sharpe graduated from medical school in Augusta. His father, Thomas Ripley Sharpe (1863-1932), mother, Luray (Smith) Sharpe (1865-1931), also made their homestead within Tattnall County.  Toombs County was created in 1905 out of parts of  Tattnall, Montgomery and Emanuel counties.

Better known as “Colonel T. Ross” by friends and family, he served in the Navy during World War I, graduated with a law degree from Mercer University, and was admitted to the bar in 1915.  Colonel Ross worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Caroling Chemical Company, Prudential Insurance Company, and Federal Land Bank of Columbia, South Carolina.

With a new young family, including wife Ellen (Malone) Sharpe, son Thomas M. Sharpe, and daughter Luray Sharpe, the Colonel would return to the land of his heritage.  He established his law practice that grew and prospered until his death in 1968 and the death of his son and partner, Malone, in 1972.  During the 1950’s and 1960’s, Colonel Sharpe wrote a column in the local newspaper, The Lyons Progress, titled “Tales from the Altamaha” (also titled “Tales of the Altamaha”) depicting the history of the area.  His stories bring to life colorful characters from the past, the regional settlers of a five-county radius.  In an excerpt from “Why the Tales of the Altamaha?” he described them this way: “The old-timers who lived along the Altamaha were the salt of the earth. They were pure granite in the face of adversity, emotional in sorrow, gracious in their homes, honest in their dealings, ambitious for their children and faithful to their churches.  Some of their offspring have exhibited some of the virtues of these ancestors and have carved their names on the monument of success.”

Colonel Ross’s service in both state and local capacities allowed him to hold such positions as State Toombs County Representative in 1945 and 1946. He was a member of the Lyons Chamber of Commerce, County Board Of Education member for 16 years, and he also served on the Democratic committee for 24 years.  He also held memberships as a Mason and a Shriner.

Thanks to Colonel Ross’s foresight and leadership, the Altamaha Electric Membership Co-op that began with 208 members now serves 7500 residents in Toombs and six surrounding counties.  Upon Ross’s death, Senator Herman Talmadge stated in the Congressional Record, “The People of Toombs County, the state of Georgia, and the nation have suffered a great loss.”