Martha Ann Denson Thigpen

Born in Hazlehurst, MS on April 14, 1967 to Junior Lee Denson and the late Rosie Ella Denson, Martha Denson Thigpen was the third of five girls. 

Martha, who was affectionately known as "Mudd" was a  beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece and friend. She was truly a woman of strength, courage, and faith. She met no strangers with her bubbly spirit and contagious smile. If you knew her, then you knew her children and grandchildren meant everything to her. She loved and cared for many people, but teaching her students was one of her greatest joys in life. She never lost students when they moved on to the next level in school; she gained family.

At an early age, Martha accepted Christ and was a member of Lille Mae Baptist Church in Georgetown, MS. Later in life, she joined Walking Upright Ministry under the leadership of Pastor Louis E. Dixon and First Lady Regina Dixon. She was a faithful member until October, when her health began to decline. She always kept a special place in her heart for New Lillie Mae, where the members were all family and that was home.

Martha was a proud graduate of Crystal Springs High School, Class of 1985. After high school, she worked at Bernstein Shirt Factory until the company closed in 2000. She later returned to school and received her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Copiah -Lincoln Community College. Upon completion, she worked for Friends of Children of MS as a teacher and also worked part-time as a waitress at Cracker Barrel Old County Store. While doing both jobs, Martha enrolled back into college to pursue her Bachelor's Degree. In 2014, she received her Bachelor's Degree from Jackson State University. Martha continued to work while undergoing chemotherapy; her willpower was so strong that she never gave up. She worked until October of 2025, when her health declined. 

Martha leaves to cherish her memories her loving and devoted daughters, Kimberly (Frederick) White and Kawyer(Alfonzo)Buck; her wonderful grandchildren, Khamrii, Kambria, Kylie, and Alfonzo, Jr. all of Crystal Springs, MS; her father, Junior Lee(Jessie) Denson; three sisters, Eveline(Willie)Robinson, Melinda Denson Terrell and Vandella May, all of Georgetown, MS; one brother, Willie James Mitchell of Texas; her niece and nephews whom she loved so much, Latrina(Eric), Anthony, Tommie(Shendra), Deandrea, Latoya, Willie(Cassandra), Ashley, Shakia, Alexis, Shandria, Ricky(Ty) and Alyssa; four aunts, Lula(L.C.)Bickam, Blondeen Maye, Mary Hardy and Flores Magee; four uncles, T.H.(Elsa)Hardy, Wayne(Mableine)Hardy, Tilmon Collins and Alex(Felisa)McCullum: her extended family, the Thigpens; two special friends, Randy Robinson and Kate Jacobsen; and a host of other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Rosie Ella Denson; her sisters, Nina Lee Denson and Bernice Denson Collins; her grandmother, Amanda Hardy; and a special mother-in-law, Sallie Thigpen.