Murrells Inlet: Kathryn "Katy" Leah Malone Thigpen, 78, died Friday, October 21, 2016, at Waccamaw Community Hospital. Katy was born on March 23, 1938 in St. Joseph, MO a daughter of Billy and Mildred Malone. She attended Benton High School in St. Joseph. Katy spent many of her childhood years in the care of her Aunt and Uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Whittington, now deceased, and her cousin, Marie Louise Whittington. Katy retired from Arkansas State Bank, Siloam Springs, AK in 1995 due to M. S., she moved to the low country in 2003, following the death of her husband, Bob Bumgardner in 2002. She was also predeceased by a son, Patrick Neal Osburn, from a first marriage. In 2005 Katy married Wayne Thigpen, with whom she happily lived until her death. Surviving, in addition to her husband of Murrells Inlet, are: a step-son, Steven R. Thigpen of Murrells Inlet; two step-daughters, Josey T. Vereen of Pawleys Island and Jessica T. Legge (Dean) of Andrews; six step-grandchildren, Brantley Kavanaugh (Brandon), Olivia N. Thigpen, Bailey K. Vereen, Chandler J. Vereen, Audrey J. Legge, and Alex D. Legge; step-great grandchild, Harper R. Kavanaugh; and a cousin, Bill Harmon of Georgetown. Sign a guestbook at: www.mayerfuneralhome.com. Memorial funeral services will be Sunday afternoon, October 30, 2016, at three o'clock at the Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home. Officiating will be the Rev. Don Fenters III. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MS Society, PO Box 90154, Tucson, AZ 85752 or MS Foundation, Inc., 6350 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. Funeral Home: Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home 222 Saint James Street Georgetown, SC US 29440