Obituary of Buford "Boots" Thigpen

Lonnie Buford "Boots" Thigpen Lonnie Buford "Boots" Thigpen of Killen, Ala., died after an extended illness Saturday at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. He was 80. Mr. Thigpen was born in Lexington, Ala. to L.P. Thigpen and Bal Thigpen on October 6, 1930. He attended Lexington High School, and lived the majority of his life in this area. He spent a brief time working in Detroit prior to being employed by the Alabama State Highway Department until his retirement. Mr. Thigpen attended Mount Pleasant Baptist Church his entire life, and served as a deacon for 50 years. He also served as a song and choir director for many years, and was a member of the Killen Masonic Lodge #788, F. & A.M. He was preceded in death by his parents L.P. Thigpen and Bal Thigpen; three brothers, Farley Thigpen, Villard Thigpen and Junior Thigpen; two sisters, Birdie Thigpen and Mary Beavers. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Mitchell Thigpen of 59 years; his son, Randy K. Thigpen and wife Jenny Thigpen; and six grandchildren, Brandon Thigpen, Brian Behel, Austin Thigpen, Rhett Thigpen, Bradley Thigpen and Heather Thigpen. The visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Greenhill Funeral Home. The open casket viewing will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, the funeral service at 2 p.m., and the burial following shortly afterwards, all of which will take place at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Lexington. The service will be conducted by Brother Jason Vinson and Dr. Jackie Kay. Pallbearers will be Brandon Thigpen, Rhett Thigpen, Bradley Thigpen, Brian Behel, Martin Cox and Steve Cox. Honorary Pallbearers will be the deacons of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Greenhill Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.