Calesta Thigpen Heres

Born in the small farm town of Beulaville, NC on July 26, 1931, Calesta “Collie” Thigpen grew up living the typical depression era small town life surrounded by a large family. Born of Murphy and Mildred Adams Thigpen and preceded in death by her brothers Orvis, Orzo, and Winfred. Collie farmed and was a popular student at Beulaville High School, being a star player on the 1949 Girls Basketball Team.

After graduating high school, Collie attended Business School and migrated to Raleigh, NC where she met her future husband Ralph Heres at the NC State Fair. Collie and Ralph married on November 11th,1954 in Beulaville. Ralph began a 37-year career with Carolina Trailways as a bus driver, eventually rising to become the Company’s Vice President of Operations. Collie’s path eventually led her to a 50 year career working for the State of North Carolina. She retired once from the State’s Council on Aging and then a second time from the Department of Corrections. Along the way Collie and Ralph had 2 sons.

Don was born in 1956 and Bart arrived in 1960. The family spent time in Virginia and North Carolina as Trailways grew. Raleigh became the family’s home in 1967 when Ralph was promoted to Corporate Vice President. As both Collie and Ralph were avid NC State Wolfpack fans, it was the perfect location. Collie and Ralph both were avid football and basketball fans and followed both Don and Bart throughout their athletic careers at Sanderson High School, NC State, and Furman University. Both Collie and Ralph were more than just sports fans following their sons, they were known as “Daddy Ralph” and “Mamma Collie” to all of the athletes at Sanderson. Their dedication to their sons and Sanderson athletics had them playing key rolls in forming the Sanderson Athletic Club, to support student athletes.

As their son’s athletics faded Collie and Ralph began enjoying life with their friends. Max and Judy Powell became close friends and spent hours playing UNO and ROOK and spending time at the beach. Both boys married and soon grandchildren became the objects of their affection. Dax and Donny were born of Don and Tina, and Wilson and Lauren were born of Bart and Leslie. Soon the grandkids became involved in youth sports. Again, Daddy Ralph and Mama Collie were back playing their supportive roles. Ralph passed away in 2003 after 49 years together.

As life would have it, the grandkids also grew and started their own lives. Dax married Reanna and Collie became a Great Grandmother when little Christina arrived in 2017. Wilson married Julia in 2022 and Collie was aware that another great grandchild was on the way before her passing. Lauren married Will Hesterlee in 2023.

A new addition was built to move the very independent Collie, up to Virginia where she could spend her last days surrounded and cared for by family. She had joined her family, up on “Walton’s Mountain”, as was able to spend the holidays surrounded by family before her passing.

Collie is survived directly by her two sons, Don and Bart and daughter-in-laws, Elizabeth and Leslie. Grand Children, Dax, Donny, Wilson, and Lauren and one Great Child, Christina. A number of surviving nieces and nephews from the Beulaville family remained close throughout Collie’s long life, Ada and Doug Brown, Lonnie Thigpen, Donna Thigpen and their children. Nieces from Ralph’s family also remained close. Joni Church and Linda MacKinnon, as well as their children, also stayed in contact with their Aunt Collie.

A time for sharing memories and offering condolences will be held on Saturday, February 22, from 11:00am till 12:00pm, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 East Millbrook Rd. Raleigh, NC 27609. Where at Noon services will be held with the Rev. Aleta Ash will be officiating. Interment will take place at the Raleigh Memorial Park.

We all know Collie is now healthy and happy and with the loved ones who preceded her to her Heavenly Home.