Josephine Tharps passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

On February 17, 1936, in the quiet town of Painter, Virginia, Josephine Tharps was born to Elsie Mae “Big Mama” Horsey and George Stewart. From the very beginning, her life would be marked by perseverance, sacrifice, faith, and strength.

Josephine was no stranger to hard work. As a young girl growing up, she developed the strong work ethic that would remain with her throughout her entire life. She attended local schools while also helping her mother work the fields during the summer months. Before dawn would even break, Josephine would be alongside her mother digging potatoes, learning early the meaning of responsibility, endurance.

At just 17 years old, Josephine moved to Millsboro, Delaware in search of greater opportunities. There, she found work at the Townsend Chicken Factory, where the labor was physically demanding and the conditions were harsh. Long hours were spent standing on concrete floors in cold, damp environments sorting and processing chickens by hand. The work required speed, precision, and stamina, and the repetitive strain and exposure to difficult conditions would later contribute to health challenges she carried for years. Yet through it all, Josephine never complained. She simply worked.

In addition to factory work, she also worked as a domestic laborer, cleaning homes and caring for others with the same dignity and excellence she brought to everything she did.

While in Delaware, Josephine met the love of her life, Will Tharps. Together they relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, where they built a life rooted in love, hard work, and family. They were united in marriage and together raised Josephine’s beloved daughter and only child, Stephanie.

Even while balancing motherhood and work responsibilities, Josephine remained determined to continue her education. She attended night school and proudly obtained her GED.

Josephine continued her domestic work before eventually securing employment at the Gillette World Shaving Company. There, she worked for many years as a razor blade inspector, carrying out her responsibilities with care and dedication. Though she was eventually forced into early retirement due to health issues rooted in the physically taxing labor conditions she had endured years earlier, retirement was never truly her way. Josephine went on to work for Amtrak as a car cleaner, once again proving that her spirit could not be slowed.

More than her work ethic, Josephine will be remembered for her deep and abiding faith in God. Over 50 years ago, she found her church home at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, long before the church relocated to Warren Street. The church became her second home and her extended family. She was a faithful and dedicated servant of the Lord who loved worship, fellowship, and service. She proudly sang with the Senior Choir and remained devoted to her church community throughout the years.

Josephine also cherished her family roots. As long as she was able, she took yearly road trips back home to visit loved ones throughout Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Those trips brought her joy and kept her connected to the people and places she loved most.

And if you knew Josephine, you certainly knew her love for baking. Family and friends looked forward to her desserts, especially her delicious 7-Up cake, German chocolate cake, and sock-it-to-me cake.

Josephine Tharps lived a life defined by faith, sacrifice, and hard work. She was a woman of quiet strength whose legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched, the church she served, and the example she set.

Though her earthly labor has ended, her reward is eternal. “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” Her memory will forever remain in the hearts of all who loved her.

Viewing will be held at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 230 Warren Street, Roxbury on Saturday, June 13th from 10-11AM. Funeral Service will begin at 11AM. Interment at Oak Lawn Cemetery