Bruce E. Thigpen

Bruce E. Thigpen NEW BERN - Bruce Edward Thigpen, a resident of the Courtyards at Berne Village, New Bern, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2008. A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Greenwood Cemetery in Greenville. Born on Sept. 7, 1922, Mr. Thigpen grew up and lived most of his life in Greenville. He worked for J A Collins Furniture Company until 1960 when he went into business for himself establishing the Bruce E. Thigpen Furniture Company. He retired in 1997. Mr. Thigpen was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Luther Thigpen Sr., three brothers, and three sisters. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ila Lynn Thigpen, also of the Courtyards at Berne Village; only child, Brenda Thigpen Redd and husband, Steve, of New Bern; grandchildren, William Redd, of Wilmington, and Heather Burnett and husband, Sean, of Hope Mills; and great-grandchild, Jenny Burnett, of Hope Mills. Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home and Crematory, Greenville.