Deacon Charles Ivery Thigpen "Chuck", 66, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at his residence with his loving wife at his side. He was born in Wadesboro, NC on May 19, 1950 to Ella Sue Williams and James Ivery Thigpen. Chuck graduated from Bowman High School and attended Kittrell College in North Carolina, where he pledged Groove Phi Soul. He then arrived in Bridgeport, CT in 1977 where he became an employee for the City of Bridgeport Board of Education for 15 years before retiring and moving to Winston-Salem, NC.

He was happily married and deeply in love with Evangelist Azzalea Thigpen for 17 years. Together they did a lot of traveling and enjoyed cooking outdoors. They both shared their full dedication and love for God and family. He was an active member of Full Gospel C.O.G.I.C. for many years under the leadership of Bishop T.W. Plummer. He was also ordained a deacon in March 2009. He sung in the men's quartet and was especially known for his deep voice. After retiring, he and his wife moved to Winston-Salem, NC where he was an active member of Union Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Sir Walter Mack, Jr. He joined the Union Baptist Church Men of Valor Choir, was a member of Winston-Salem Rehab Nursing Ministry under Bishop Mack, and also fed the homeless at the Samaritan Ministries. He played the role of police officer in the play "When Courage Becomes Contagious," which is a play that addressed minority voting rights. Chuck will be remembered as a giant yet gentle teddy bear with an outgoing personality, who enjoyed entertaining those around him. He will be sorely missed by his wife, family, friends and all those who were fortunate to have known him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ella Sue Williams and James Ivery Thigpen; and his sister, Juanita Johnson.

Left to cherish many wonderful memories are his wife, Azzalea Thigpen; his daughter, Nieka Thigpen of CT; stepchildren, Tawana Cobb and Robert Wilson, Jr. both of CT; two granddaughters, Amirah Francis and Aleeah Lewis; siblings, James Crowder of Thomasville, NC, Toney Thigpen, Lee (Margarette) Thigpen of Greensboro, NC, Lillian Ingram of Thomasville, NC, and Ella Sue Moore of Winston-Salem, NC; one aunt, Julia Williams; one uncle, Nathan (Iris) Tillman of Wadesboro, NC; in-laws, Cynthia Abrams of CT, Annie (Lewis) Johnson of SC, Man Watkins of CT, and Sabrina (Horace) Edgerton of CT; and a host of loving family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Friday, March 31, 2017 at Union Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 12:00noon until 1:00pm on Friday at the Church.