Written and Submitted with permission to MSGen

by: Ramona Wells Thigpen, June 5, 2010

[email protected]

Ramona Wells Thigpen was born in Noxapate, Winston County, MS, to Doyle Christopher and Salle V. Jackson Wells. Ramona married Billy Thigpen, in Lucedale, MS. We were married by Rev. G. S. Jennings. The ceremony was performed on the front porch of Rev. Jennings home. We were married one month before we told anyone. After the ceremony I went to my home and Billy went to his home. This marriage arrangement continued for about three weeks and Billy decided this was not the way he wanted to spend his married life. We lived with Billy’s parents until we could afford an apartment. Our first real home was located at 338 Canty Street, Pascagoula, MS.

Billy & Ramona

Billy Thigpen, spouse of Ramona Wells Thigpen, was born in Bay Springs, MS. Billy passed away December 24, 2009. He is buried at Serene Memorial Gardens Cemetery. His parents were Guy Thigpen, Sr. and Emmie Mary Sims Thigpen. Emmie Mary was born in Bay Springs, MS. June 28, 1900. Her parents were George Washington Sims and Calie Stori. Emmie Mary passed away January 14, 1986. She is buried at Jackson County Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Guy Thigpen, Sr. was born August 5, 1895 in Bay Springs, MS. His parents were Benjamin Spurgeon Thigpen and Susan Keys Thigpen. Guy Thigpen passed away November 23, 1959. He is buried at Jackson Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The children of this marriage were as follows: Guy Thigpen, Jr.; Guy married Willene Brown. Guy passed away November 11, 1998. They had one child, Margaret Ann Thigpen. Elizabeth Thigpen was born April, 1924. She passed away December 16, 1926. Marie Thigpen Zecha, born Aug 21, 1924. She married Donald Joseph Zecha, January 3, 1951. They have two children. Donald Joseph Zecha, Jr. and William Randall Zecha. Donald Joseph, Sr. passed away August 2, 1977. He is buried in Jackson Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Charles Ray Thigpen was born January 23, 1928. He married Evelyn Manus. Charles Ray passed away March 10, 1990 in Dallas, Texas. Bobby Joe Thigpen was born in Bay Springs, MS. Bobby Jo passed away December 9, 1995. He was a Korean Veteran. He is buried in Jackson Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Gene Thigpen, born in Bay Springs, MS. Gene passed away July 30, 1943. He is buried in Bay Springs, MS.

Our first child, Billy Keith Thigpen, was born at the old Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula, MS. He was delivered by Doctor E. Baumhauer. He married Gladys Rene Pait at the Magnolia Springs Assembly of God Church in Hurley, MS. Rene is the daughter of James C. and Willie Mae Bankston Pait. They have two sons. Aaron Shay, born at Singing River Hospital, Pascagoula, MS. Aaron Shay married Shelly Nicole Bistowski, born in Shreveport, LA. Shelly is the daughter of Robert Wendel and Billie Bistowski. Austin Chase was born at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula, MS. Austin Chase attends school at the University of Southern Mississippi.