George Ann Prather Thigpen

George Ann Prather Thigpen, 85, passed away peacefully at her home under Hospice care on June 26 with her family at her side. She was born in Concord, N.C, on January 3, 1940 to George and Juanita ("Nita") Prather. She enjoyed a happy childhood in Statesboro, along with her beloved older sister Deborah. She graduated from Statesboro High School where she was a cheerleader and loved cheering for the Blue Devils and her favorite player, her high school sweetheart & future husband Marshall Thigpen. She continued her education at the University of Georgia where she was a proud member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She earned a bachelor's degree in Education. After graduating, George Ann and Marshall - the love of her life – married in March of '62. They settled in their first home – Hilltop Apartments – in Atlanta, where Marshall became a CPA while George Ann taught school. By 1967, their love of home and family drew them back to Statesboro where they would be near their parents and build the house where they would raise their three children and live out the rest of their lives.
In Statesboro, George Ann became a full-time mother and homemaker. Her greatest passion was her family. She was a member & active participant of Statesboro First United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed Sunday School and UMW activities. She loved her friends and her bridge club, and as her children got older she grew to love taking trips with her girlfriends. She remained utterly devoted to her children, and to her children's families.
George Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Prather, her husband, Marshall R. Thigpen Jr., and her sister Deborah P. Loper. She is survived by her three children, Susan Thigpen Manack (Max) of Statesboro, Marshall ("Bud") Thigpen III of Statesboro, and Sally Thigpen Chambers (Rob) of Gainesville, Ga.; six grandchildren, John Manack (Miranda), Madeline Manack Ward (Dylan), Will Thigpen, Clayton Thigpen Catherine Chambers, and Wakefield Chambers; five great-grandchildren, Aubrey Thigpen, Knox Manack, Camille Manack, Holden Ward, and Georgia ("Gigi") Ward, and many nieces and nephews. The family expresses its deepest gratitude to her caregivers, Destanee Maxwell, Penny Rabitsch, Robin Tyson, and Yolanda Toombs; and her longtime bookkeeper and organizer Nanci Conner. The family especially wishes to express heartfelt gratitude and love to Bertha Shumaker, her beloved friend and primary caregiver for the past decade.
A celebration of life will take place on Monday, June 30th at 2:00 at Statesboro First United Methodist Church with Rev. Larry Bird and Rev. Mark Burgess officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall.
A private family interment will be held at Eastside Cemetery. Grandsons and sons-in-law will be pallbearers.
For friends wishing to honor George Ann's life, the family requests donations to Ogeechee Area Hospice, PO Box 531, Statesboro, Georgia 30459.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of George Ann Prather Thigpen, please visit our Tree Store.