Eula Fern Thigpen Brashear

Eula Fern Thigpen Brashear departed this life March 13, 2024, at Charter Senior Living, Jackson, Tennessee.  Eula was born September 18, 1930, at 740 South Highland Street, Memphis, Tennessee, to Novice and Eva Lucille Barbee Thigpen.  She and her sister, Charlotte, grew up on South Highland Street attending Memphis City Schools and graduated from Messick High School.   She enjoyed the extended Barbee family in the neighborhood, as well as the extended Thigpen family at Lake Como, Mississippi.  She professed her faith in Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized into Prescott Memorial Baptist Church.  Eula was an accomplished musician, excelling as a pianist, organist and vocalist, with a beautiful Soprano voice.

She graduated from Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, which laid the foundation for her life’s calling as a Registered Nurse and Professor of Surgical Nursing, both in Ft. Worth, Texas and at Nazareth College, Kalamazoo, Michigan.  In 1953, she married Robert M. (Bob) Brashear in Memphis.  Eula and Bob had exemplary careers in higher education in Fort Worth and Kalamazoo.

Retirement brought Eula and Bob to Jackson, Tennessee, where they immediately joined First Baptist Church and became involved in all aspects of church life and service to the Jackson community.  Eula was a choir member and worked with children’s choirs.   She enjoyed gardening.  Eula was a happy, content person who brought joy to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Brashear, parents, Novice and Eva Thigpen, sister, Charlotte Thigpen Turner, brother-in-law, Gene Turner, sister-in-law, Carolyn Brashear Jones, and brother-in-law, Jack Brashear.  She is survived by nephews and nieces Wesley Turner, Glenn Turner, Jana Jones, Jeff Jones, Paul Brashear, Martha Pittman, and a host of grand nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be held at Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, Tennessee at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 23, 2024, with service to follow at 11:00 a.m.  Pastor Scott Gilbert presiding.   Interment will be at Memphis Memorial Park.  

Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Pkwy, Jackson, TN 38305, 731.668.1111, www.arringtonfuneraldirectors.com