She was born in 1928 in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was the daughter of James and Mary Elvia Smith. She was married to Louis Thigpen in May 1953 and raised two daughters. She was a homemaker and legal secretary. Her hobbies included gardening, cooking, painting, sewing, and crocheting. She had a love for animals with many pets over the years. Her greatest joy was having family gatherings at her home.
She is survived by her daughters Teresa Jessani and Suzanne McClanahan, their spouses Romesh Jessani and Tom McClanahan, grandchildren Van Coll, Lance Coll, Kyle McClanahan, Emily McClanahan, Scarlett Jessani, Violet Jessani, and great grandchild Leo Draina-Coll. She was preceded in death by her husband Louis Thigpen in 2023.
A service will be held at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas, 78749 on October 31, 2025. Starting with a visitation at 12:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 01:00 PM, with a committal burial at 02:00 PM.
