Leona Elizabeth Thigpen, age 95 formerly of East Brunswick, NJ passed away March 18, 2026. She was pre-deceased by her parents Theodore and Leona Woyke; her sister, Elnor Van Buskirk; and her husband of 63 years, James F. Thigpen, Sr. She is survived by their five children: James F Thigpen, Jr. and wife Shelly; Autumn Barnes and husband Arnold; Timothy Thigpen and wife Lauren; Brian Thigpen and wife Elizabeth; and Melanie Chomiczewski and husband Leon. She is also survived by her grandchildren -- Philip Barnes and wife Emily; James Barnes and wife Samantha; Rachel Mallette and husband Andy; Mark, Jamie, Hollyann, Joseph, Thomas, Jordan, Andrew and great grandchildren; Zinnia, Phoebe and Silas. Leona is also survived by her niece Karen and husband Jeff, and her nephew Alan and wife Kathey, along with their children and grandchildren. Leona grew up on a farm in East Brunswick and met her husband, James at a USO dance at Camp Kilmer in Edison, NJ. They married in 1953 and made their home in East Brunswick, where they raised their family and created a welcoming environment for all who visited. They enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren and many of their friends who would visit at their home. As a young couple, they were active members of the East Brunswick Grange and were named Young Couple of the Year. She was known for her sewing and cooking skills. They worked together in their beauty salon for over 35 years. Leona was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in South River, NJ where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. Together with her husband, Leona spent many years traveling back and forth to their home in Florida in the winter, gardening in the summer, taking fishing trips to Canada and visiting family in North Carolina and Ohio. Leona spent the last several years living with her daughter and her husband in West Berlin, NJ. The family will receive friends at Bronson Funeral Home in Milltown NJ between 4PM and 7 PM Tuesday March 24, 2026 Internment will be at Old Tennant Cemetery, Old Tennant, NJ following a Wednesday morning service at the funeral home at 11 AM.