Martha Thigpen Obituary

Martha Thigpen SENECA, SC - Martha Janet Byrd Thigpen, 91, wife of the late James Carlisle Thigpen, Sr., of Seneca, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at The Residences at Park Place. Born in Chesterfield, SC, Mrs. Thigpen was the daughter of the late Bruce Weldon and Sydney Hursey Byrd. She graduated from Columbia College and earned a Master's Degree from SC State. Mrs. Thigpen retired from North Charleston High School after a 28-year teaching career and was a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church. She loved God, her family, her church, and serving others. She was an amazing cook and seamstress, sharing these skills with many students over her teaching career. She found joy working in the garden and in her yard. Mrs. Thigpen is survived by her son: Jim Thigpen (Dawn); daughter: Sydney Mellard (David); sister: Sydney Lynn Jones (Bobby); grandchildren: Caroline Clark (Spencer), Meredith Hawks (Ryan), Owen Thigpen (Brittany), Matthew Thigpen (Nelly), and Hannah Brown (Landon); great-grandchildren: Gray Thigpen, Bonnie Clark, and Ford Hawks; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Thigpen was preceded in death by her brothers: Bruce W. Byrd, Jr. and Philip H. Byrd; sister-in-law: Wanda Byrd; and niece: Anita Grace Jones Anderson. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 1:00 PM, at Bethlehem Methodist Church, 2236 Bethlehem Rd., Hartsville, SC 29550, followed by a graveside service at 2:00 PM, at Bethlehem Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Aldersgate Methodist Church, 1444 Remount Road, Charleston, SC 29406. A Celebration of Life will follow at 1:00 PM. Memorials can be made to Bethlehem Methodist Church for Perpetual Care or to Aldersgate Methodist Church. The family would like to give a special thanks to The Residences at Park Place in Seneca and MSA Hospice for their love and care during this time.