Vernell Thigpen Basden
October 26, 1938
September 30, 2026
Visitation
Friday, October 2, 2026
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Serenity Funeral Home, Beulaville
Funeral Service
Saturday, October 3, 2026
11:00 AM
Serenity Funeral Home, Beulaville
Interment
Basden Cemetery, Beulaville
Beulaville, NC
Vernell Thigpen Basden, was born on October 26, 1938, in Potters Hill, North Carolina, to Baitie and Dessie Thigpen. She lived a life marked by hard work, steadfast faith, devotion to family, and a quiet willingness to serve others.
Vernell was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alfred Basden; her parents, Baitie and Dessie Thigpen; her siblings, Donald Thigpen, infant sister, Lidavay Thigpen; Jerrell Thigpen (Reba); Shirley Murphy (Aubrey); Evelyn Basden (Junior); her sister-in-law, Juanita Thigpen; and her son-in-law, Mike Riley.
From an early age, Vernell understood the value of hard work. She worked faithfully throughout her life, never seeking praise or recognition for all that she did. She simply believed in doing what needed to be done and caring for the people she loved. Her strength, determination, and dependability were among the many qualities that made her so special to those around her.
Above all, Vernell was a woman of immense faith and true grace. Throughout her life, you could find her at church, serving wherever she was needed. She sang in the choir, taught others, served during Harvest Days, and spent countless hours decorating and preparing for holidays. She gave her time, her talents, and her heart freely, never seeking recognition for the work she did.
Her faith was not simply something she professed; it was something she lived. She did not simply teach the virtues of patience, forgiveness, kindness, and compassion—she embodied them. She was a gentle soul who never needed to raise her voice and who did not harbor hard feelings. Instead, she met people with patience, forgave readily, and showed compassion through both her words and her actions.
Vernell’s service extended far beyond the walls of her church. She would lovingly assemble gift baskets for shut-ins or volunteer with Meals on Wheels and make every delivery with a smile, listening ear, and sincere friendship. She never expected anything in return. Giving was simply part of who she was. Her generosity was quiet and genuine, offered because she believed that caring for others was one of the ways we show God’s love. Her life was a living testimony to the faith she held so dearly. Through her service, her kindness, and the example she set for her family, Vernell taught lessons that will continue long after her passing. She showed those around her that faith is not only found in what we say, but in how we live, how we forgive, how we serve, and how we love.
Vernell found joy in life’s simple treasures. She loved ball games, reading, babysitting, exploring nature, and cooking for the people she loved. Her fried chicken was especially memorable, but even more memorable was the love that accompanied everything she did. Vernell also had a special way of serving her community through her cooking. She often ground slaw for East Duplin’s annual athletic banquet and for many other community events, quietly contributing her time and talents whenever she was needed. For her family, she was a source of comfort, strength, wisdom, and unconditional love. She was a valiant daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, Gaga, great-grandmother, aunt, friend, worker, and servant of God. She embraced each role with devotion and gave of herself generously to those around her.
Vernell is survived by her daughter, Marlette Riley and her sons, William Basden (Lisa) and Darrell Basden (Staci); her grandchildren, James Riley (Deanna), Davis Basden (Caison) and Darci Basden; her great-grandchildren, Haidynn, Weslynn, and Lawson Riley, and Tatum Basden; her brother, WD Thigpen; and her sister-in-law, Irene Basden. She also leaves behind extended family members and dear friends whose lives were touched by her kindness, generosity, strength, and faith.
Vernell’s family grieves the loss of a remarkable woman, but they also celebrate the life she lived and the heritage she leaves behind. Her greatest legacy is not found in possessions or accomplishments, rather it is found in the people she loved, the lives she touched, and the faith she passed from one generation to the next. After a lifetime of hard work, service, forgiveness, compassion, and faith, Vernell has now received the blessing she believed in so deeply. She has gone home to be with her Lord and has been reunited with her family members who went before her. She was blessed. She was a blessing. And the grace with which she lived her life will remain a blessing to all who knew and loved her.
