Fariss, Golonda Suzette Thigpen

Golonda Suzette Thigpen Fariss, of Christiansburg, Va., won her battle with breast cancer on Tuesday, August 3, 2010, at 2:45 a.m. She set her mind to fight the disease with everything she had and she fought fiercely until the end. She lived her life in the New River Valley and loved sitting on her porch at her home in Christiansburg. Suzette spent the entirety of her life caring for her family, friends, and members of the community and will leave a great hole to be filled in the lives of many. A dedicated grandmother, mother, sister, and daughter, she most enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved colorful clothes (especially pajamas), her front porch, bonfires, flowers, and relaxing on the beach. She is survived by her mother, Golonda Thigpen, 75; sister, Jill Whitley, 51; son-in-law, Evan Boling, 39; daughter, Wendy Boling, 32; son, Murphy Fariss, 31; nephew, Bradley Eames, 31; and three granddaughters, Amelia Ridleah Collins-Fariss, 6, Emily Louise Boling, 3, and Isobel Suzette Boling, 9 months. She will be welcomed into heaven by her father, Murphy Calhoun Thigpen (12/25/1934 5/4/1990); and her grandparents, Orvis M. and Evelyn M. Thigpen.

Services will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2010, at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg, Va., with a private, family-only viewing before the service. She requested to be cremated following the service. Suzette requests that all who attend wear their brightest and most colorful attire to celebrate her own wonderfully colorful fashion sense. She was not one to stand on formalities in life and we, as her family and loves ones, would not dishonor her by asking anyone to do so in her death so come comfortable and happy as we celebrate who she was to us. Special thanks to Lou R. Long, the office staff of H. Gregory Campbell, and the National Counseling Group that were her co-workers, supporters, and friends and have been a great comfort to our family in this difficult time. We would also like to thank the medical professionals at Blue Ridge Cancer Care and the New River Valley Medical Center that provided excellent care for my mother throughout her illness and comfort and support for our family in the most difficult of times. Your kindness, flexibility, and professionalism have been incomparable. The Fariss family is being served by Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg, Va. Online condolences may be sent to www.hornefuneralservice.com