Rose Mary Thigpen

Rose Mary Robinson Thigpen was born on December 21, 1953, to Martha Janice Whaley and Charles Galloway Sr. in Los Angeles, California. Named after two of her mother's eldest sisters, Rose was the beloved third born to this union after Charles Jr. and Martha Jean. A few years later, she and her siblings, all cherished and raised by their stepfather IV Small, welcomed a younger sister, Irene Small Hill. An abundance of love and family filled the cozy confines of East 33rd Street. As a child, Rose attended Nevin Avenue Elementary and George Washington Carver Jr High. But like her siblings, she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, as a proud "Demo." Rose then furthered her education by attending Los Angeles Trade Technical College for Nursing and earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Accounting from Los Angeles Community College. In addition to learning, Rose prided herself in her hobbies of sewing, reading, mentoring, and having a creative eye for interior design. She was a collector of movies and books. She also carried a fondness for music by Leroy Hudson, Stephanie Mills, and The Whispers.

Over the years, Rose used her talents within different companies. She maintained a clerical position at Byron Jackson Pump Division in Vernon, CA. She later served as a Letter Carrier and Retail Associate with the United States Postal Service in Torrance, CA. Her skills furthered her career by becoming the Bookkeeper and Accounting Director at the Mary Lind Foundation in Los Angeles, CA until a work injury forced early retirement. After relocating to Jonesboro, GA, in 2017, she acquired a part-time clerical position at J. Charley Griswell Senior Center.

Affectionately known as "Bird" to those closest to her, you would often find her answering the nickname "Roro" from family, and friends younger than her. Rose found faith in Christ at a young age. She utilized wisdom in mentorship to encourage others to find purpose and fulfillment in their lives. While on her own life's journey, she shared her heart and was blessed with two beautiful children, Darrell and Delshawn. Rose's smile, generosity, and caring demeanor drew people toward her. She was loved by all those who crossed her path, including her soul mate, Thomas Thigpen. Thomas brought Roro love, balance, peace, and calm. They were wed on February 22, 2002, and remained married for 20 years.

Rose was vibrant, caring, sincere, kind, fearless, opinionated, and headstrong. She opened her home and heart to family, friends, and strangers. Roro always supported those around her and will be greatly missed by all. Those whom she's reuniting with in Heaven are parents Martha Small, Charles Galloway Sr, IV Small; siblings: Charles Galloway Jr, Martha Jean Galloway, and Abraham Thigpen. Left to celebrate her memory are husband: Thomas Thigpen; children: Darrell Omatie Hill, Delshawn Jermaine Bodney with wife Ashley Oliver-Bodney; sisters: Irene S. Hill, Denise Morgan; grandchildren: Asaiyah Aanisah Hill, Darrell Omatie Hill Jr, Oshynn Bashar Bodney, Del'Liyah Jean Bodney, Jordan Jackson; aunt: Mary Belle Whaley Shelley; Sister-like cousins: Delores Gates, Vita Joyce Whaley King; nieces & nephews: Sherita Dixon, Aja Harris-Hill, Bashirah Saleem, Laneshia Blackwell, Marcus Hill, Ameer Abdullah, Taqqeea Waters, EdDreesha Mitchell, Elexus Mitchell, Shawan Duggins Jr, Che'Mari Duggins; a host of other nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.