R eba Faye Whaley Thigpen was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.  She entered her heavenly home on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the age of 83; but will remain in the hearts of all who loved her.

She was born to David Walter Whaley, Sr and Ida Edwards Whaley on November 26, 1938. As one of seven children, she was a great support to her mother as she helped care for her brothers and sisters.  She was happily married to Jerrell Thigpen for 47 years until his death in 2005.  Together, they had two children, Randy and Rita.

After graduating from East Carolina Teachers College (now East Carolina University), Reba served as a teacher for Duplin County Schools for 35 years, 34 spent in 2 ^nd grade at Beulaville Elementary School.  In her quiet, humble way, she always made sure that each person felt loved, cared for, and had what they needed.  Her kind and sweet nature was a gift to her students and colleagues but benefitted her family most of all. She was a hard worker outside of the classroom as well. She supported her husband on their farm, working in the tobacco fields and preparing barn day dinners.  Reba loved spending time with her family and supporting their interests. She could often be seen at a ballgame, concert, or recital.  She and her sisters enjoyed shopping trips where Reba would always find the best deals and usually had a coupon to cover lunch.  If you sat close enough to her, you could hear her humming a tune, keeping the beat by swinging her leg or tapping of her foot.   She enjoyed going to hear live music and watching concerts on television.  Over these last few years, she enjoyed visitors singing to her or listening to her favorite country music artists.  Reba also loved to travel and would often vacation with family and friends. She and Jerrell had many adventures with their parents, children, Walter and family, Juanita and WD, Vernell and Alfred, Charlie and Reba Ball, and Mike and Connie Williams.  She looked forward to meals with friends at Bojangles, the Whaley Sisters Breakfast at the Smokehouse, and evenings playing cards with her nieces and friends.  During her retirement years, she stayed busy volunteering with local civic organizations and was especially passionate about the Beulaville Beautification Project of repurposing the old Beulaville Elementary School building.  Over the last four years, she cherished spending her days with her friend and caregiver Miss Carrie Bailey who cared for her with the same love and respect Reba had shown to others.  Reba showed her love for God, family, and community through her lifelong dedication to the service of others.

Reba was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Ida Whaley, brother Fred Whaley, sister Eleanor Whaley, and husband Jerrell Thigpen.  She is survived by son Randy (Kathy) Thigpen, daughter Rita (Mike) Futrell, grandchildren Tonya (Todd) Todd, Josh (Chelsea) Thigpen, Ethan Nichols, Evan Nichols, Zoey Dula and Bailey Futrell, greatgrandchildren Brendan Stanton, Braxton Todd, and Sadie Thigpen, her siblings Annette (Gene) Cavanaugh, Juanita (WD) Thigpen, Virginia (Dewey) Ball, Walter (Louise) Whaley, Jr and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service is scheduled for 7pm on Friday, April 1, 2022, at the Community Funeral Home of Beulaville followed by a burial service at Edwards Cemetery on Willard Edward Rd on Saturday, April 2 ^nd at 4pm.

Community Funeral Home is honored to serve the Thigpen Family