Jenny and JoAnna, my love and condolences in the loss of your father.  I know of your deep and abiding love for him from the numerous times I have heard you talk about going to see him.  My love as your hearts heal.  Katheryn Lewis

A kind and giving soul - someone who always lifted others up. That's how I will always remember Mr.Thigpen. He & Jenny attended at my dad's service this past April. There was a special warmth in my heart to see them take the time to be there for our family. He also visited my mom, out of town, a few years ago when she was recovering from a near death experience. He lifted her spirits so much and we will be eternally grateful for his friendship. God Bless the entire family. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers as you begin this journey.

To all of the Thigpen Family, my heart and prayers are with each of you. Jo Jo was always so good to my mother, father and to me, and even his mother was a good/gracious lady. Whenever I returned home from college or service, and even when visiting Williamston after I was married, Jo jo was the same happy and warm person that I knew growing up. My love to each and everyone of you.

We are among a countless number of people, no doubt, who would say they got a lift anytime they ran into Jo Jo Thigpen. For me, the last time was in May, when he stopped me on North Watts Street in front of my late aunt and uncle Herc and Alta Harrington's home, to tell me how much it meant to him and a lot of other people that we had kept it in the family and brought it back from deterioration, following the death of our cousin, Edward Harrington. I was so humbled. He also told me something I did not know, that when he was young his family had lived in the house for several years in the 1920s and '30s, and that he had grown up being friends with lots of other kids on North Watts during that time period, my Aunt Alta and my dad, B.A. "Monk" Critcher, Jr., among them. Others were Billy and Nancy Biggs, Roger Jr. and Ella Wynne Critcher, and the Gurganus brothers, Edgar, George and John Hatton. Later, he told me, he and my dad fought in World War II together. "Your daddy was flying planes, and I was jumping out of them," he told me that sunny spring day sitting in his Cadillac on the side of the street, with a big grin that undercut the seriousness of those dark days of war. Then he told me about how the rooms in my aunt and uncle's house used to be, recalling the coal-burning stoves that were throughout the place when he lived there. I wrote to Jo Jo for Father's Day a few weeks later, telling him how much the curbside visit, and the family history he shared, meant to me. I told him we would arrange a visit at the house sometime in the fall after we were through painting a couple more rooms, so that he could see all we'd done and revisit his childhood days there. We never got to have that visit. But I will always be glad that this community, and this world, got to have Joseph Howard "Jo Jo" Thigpen for such an incredibly long time. As our cousin Nancy Sharpe Rogerson recalled earlier this week, "You know, you never ran into him that he didn't have something funny to say to you, something good to share with you and make you laugh." She's right. And when someone consistently takes the time to spread cheer like that, it is the mark of a caring soul, and a true gentleman. And in spite of the loss of this fine man, surely that's what will stick with all of the people whose lives he touched, with the simplest of words and gestures. Our best to Miss Ellen and to Joel, Janet and Jennifer and their families in the days and years to come.
Al Critcher. Mike Cooper and Nancy Sharpe Rogerson

Ellen, Joel, Jenny and Janet. My heart aches for all of you. JoJo was a unique friend and it was always a joy to meet him almost daily at the mailbox. Always good uplifting and yes, humorous comments. My prayers for each of you at this time. My God bless you all.

Mrs. Ellen, Joel, Jenny, Janet, and Family,
Our family was so saddened to learn of Mr. Jo Jo's passing. As sad as we are for you and for ourselves, we remember what a wonderful, kind, giving, and caring person he was. His wit, unmatched! How wonderful to have known him. How fortunate for all who knew him. We are all the better for it.
We loved him dearly. We hold his spirit in our hearts. We hope your wonderful memories will help you through this difficult time. 
Much, much love,
Mike and Donna N. Bryant
Retha M. Norman

OBITUARY

Joseph Howard Thigpen

23 July, 1923 – 10 August, 2016

Biggs Funeral Home

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