Charlotte Thigpen

Charlotte Behm Thigpen, originally of Decatur, GA, passed away peacefully on Friday with her son Bill by her side. Charlotte was born on August 20, 1918 to Raymond A. and Edna Gaston Behm in Decatur. She was the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs E.M. Gaston of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her older siblings, brother Ray Behm and sister Vella Marie Cowan, have all pre-deceased Charlotte. She attended Glenwood Grammar School and Girls High School in Decatur, then continued her education with college at GA State and Emory University where she served as society editor of the Emory Wheel and graduated with a BA in Biology in 1940, one of the first women to do so. She married William Morton Thigpen, Jr of Sanford, FLA in 1941. Her first child was Carol Marie, born in 1944 and Bill was born in 1949. Charlotte was a member of the Decatur Cotillion Club and the Junior League of Dekalb County. She also held many interesting professional positions throughout her life. She taught in the Decatur School System, worked for the IRS as a tax examiner, was a nurse manager and administrator at Emory University Hospital, and held the position of nursing home placement coordinator for the Department of Veteran's Affairs in Decatur where she retired in 1981. She was a long time member of Decatur and Clairmont Presbyterian Churches. At Clairmont Presbyterian, she was a Deacon, President of the Women of the Church and Circle Leader. Charlotte loved life and until her declining health prevented it, spent as much time as she could with her dear friends in Decatur at Clairmont Place playing bridge and enjoying her wine group. For many years, she adored traveling in Europe with her daughter Carol and son-in-law, Nobel Laureate Czelaw Milosz, until Carol's untimely death in 2002. Charlotte was an extraordinarily devoted grandmother to Will whose musical career never ceased to confuse but totally delight her. Charlotte is pre-deceased by her grandparents, parents, husband, daughter and son-in-law. She is survived by her son William Morton Thigpen III, his wife Susan and son Will; and numerous nephews, nieces and extended family. There will be a family graveside service on Wednesday, 7/30 to honor this wonderful woman we will miss so much. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Charlotte's honor may be made to Emory University or Clairmont Presbyterian Church.

Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033