Rudolph Ashley Thigpen

Rudolph Ashley Thigpen, born December 28, 1923, in El Dorado, Arkansas, died December 13, 2015, in Nashville, Tennessee. Rudy was preceded in death by father, Loma E. Thigpen and mother, Clarice Pendarvis, and stepmother, Edna Roughton. Rudy is survived by his wife of 70 years, Elaine McDaniel Thigpen, his son Andrew Pierce Thigpen and wife, Mary Thigpen and three granddaughters, Callie Waltz of Nashville, Tennessee, Canaan Sanders of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Camryn Austin of McMinnville, Tennessee, and granddaughter by choice, Heather Murrell of Beaumont, Texas. Great grandchildren include Brooklyn Wheatley, Harlan Waltz, Luke Sanders, and Nathan Sanders.

Rudy and his wife Elaine were longtime residents of Shreveport for more than 60 years until 2009 when they moved to the Nashville area. A Purple Heart recipient, Rudy served his country during World War II, stationed in England with the 8th Air Force, completing 30 missions with his crew. Prior to his death, he was the last surviving member of his crew. Rudy, not only served his country well in the military, highly competitive, he shared his love of sports with many young and aspiring athletes and adults into his eighties, especially tennis.

Most importantly, Rudy's love for His Lord surpassed all other pursuits, speaking "in season and out of season" driven by Christ's Great Commission, he openly shared his faith and personal testimony.

Officiated by his nephew, Father Raymond McDaniel of Lewisville, Texas, celebration services will take place Friday, December 18, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, located at 8801 Mansfield Road. Visitation will be from 1:00 - 2:00 pm prior to the service. Interment will be Centuries Memorial Park.