Murray Thigpen

Florence- Richard Murray Thigpen, 92, died Friday, June 27, 2014 in McLeod Hospice House after an illness.
Funeral services will be 3:00 PM Sunday, June 29, 2014 at Central United Methodist Church with interment following in Mount Hope Cemetery directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 PM at the church before the service.
Mr. Thigpen, (affectionately known as Mr. Wonderful), was born in Lynchburg a son of the late Willie Redden and Sudie Kolb Thigpen. He was the manager and operator for 70 years of United Finance, Florence, SC, which is still in operation and in 2001 became the owner. Mr. Thigpen was truly a pioneer in the loan industry and along with others was instrumental with the passage of the small loan law in SC. He served as President of the Independent Consumer Finance Association of SC numerous times and was always an active engaged member. Mr. Thigpen was a member of Central United Methodist Church where he served as the former Finance Committee Chairman. He was also a member of the Sertoma Club.

Surviving are two sons, Richard Thigpen, Jr. of Pageland and William Bernhardt of Columbia; a daughter, Victoria T. Walker of Jacksonville, FL; eight grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.
Mr. Thigpen was predeceased by his first wife, Sybil Lillian Summerford Thigpen; his second wife, Leony Fussle Matthews Thigpen; a daughter, Sue Carol Thigpen Kairis; a son, Clarence Steven Matthews; and a grandson, Jonathan Andre Alexander.
Memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice House, P.O. Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502 or to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 87, Florence, SC 29503.

.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Murray Thigpen, please visit our floral store.