Virginia LaVerne "Du" Thigpen Morris, 76, died Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at McElveen Manor in Sumter.
Born June 22, 1939, in Manning, she was a daughter of the late Rufus Franklin Thigpen and the late Marie Virginia Hatfield Thigpen. She was a devoted, generous and loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She had a gift of true hospitality, making everyone feel welcome in her home and comfortable in her presence. Her niece, Crystal, once remarked, "Every family needs an Aunt Vern". She was a 1957 graduate of Manning High School where she was the valedictorian of her class. She was a charter member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and was a member of the JOY Sunday School Class. She was an avid golfer and was employed with Brown's Wholesale for 57 years.
She is survived by a nephew, Edward Wayne Peagler (Mary Lynn) of Manning; two great nephews, Ed and Thomas Peagler of Columbia; a brother, H.T. Thigpen (Virginia) of Manning; two sisters, Joan Thigpen Morris (R.C.) and Gayle Thigpen Taylor (Jimmy) of Andrews; and several special nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; and a special family member, Lisa Hilton.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Thomas "Tommy" Morris; two brothers, Bryan Thigpen and Roger Thigpen; two sisters, Sylvia Thigpen Peagler and Carolyn Thigpen Scurry.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016, in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Brewer and Rev. Drew Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Manning Cemetery.
A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday at Stephens Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org
