Louise Torpin Thigpen

Louise Torpin Thigpen, 89, wife of Dr. Frederick Thigpen, died after a brief illness on August 28, 2012. Louise was born in Superior, Montana on May 25,1923, to Dr. Richard and Ruth (Scott) Torpin. A "Superior baby," she lived in Montana for several years while her father served as an obstetrician. She moved with her family to Chicago, Illinois, and then to Augusta, Georgia. In 1941 she graduated from high school in Augusta and in 1945 earned her B.F.A. in art at the University of Georgia, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority.

Louise married Dr. Frederick B. Thigpen in 1947. While he completed his residency at the University of Georgia she worked as a commercial artist. They then moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where she gave birth to her first child, Ann. Two years later the family moved to Tallahassee where Frederick opened his medical practice with his brother-in-law, Dr. John Lincoln. Louise then had her second child, Bruce.

After her children grew up Louise returned to her art, painting nature scenes, wildlife, animals and a variety of flowers.

Louise loved her family and dedicated her life to her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Frederick predeceased Louise, dying in 2006. Louise is survived by her daughter, Ann Thigpen Mock (David), Tallahassee; her son Bruce Thigpen, Tallahassee; granddaughters Sonia Fancher (Darren), Tallahassee, and Kimberly Nielson (Timothy), Atlanta; grandsons Paul Crocker (Stacy), Plano, Texas, and Scott Mock, Tallahassee; six great grandchildren and seven nephews and nieces.

The family will be hosting a celebration of the lives of Dr. Frederick and Louise Thigpen at Culley's Meadowwood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, on September 8th at 3:00 P.M.. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Big Bend Hospice or Leon County Humane Society.