Funeral Information
Location:
Upper Room Ministries
Date: 02-14-2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Time: 11:00 AM
Visitation Information
Location:
Upper Room Ministries
Date:
Time:
Time:
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Obituary
Thelma Rebecca Rigby was born on January 16, 1934, in Miami, Florida, to the late Ernest Rouse and Victoria Douglas. She peacefully transitioned on February 1, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and devotion to family.
Raised in Nassau, Bahamas, Thelma accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at an early age and carried her faith with her throughout her life. At the age of 16, she returned to Miami, Florida, where she attended trade school and began building a life rooted in hard work and determination. In the 1950s, she began her career as a phlebotomist at Saint Francis Hospital, where she faithfully served for decades until her retirement in 1991.
Thelma was a devoted member of Temple Baptist Church in Miami, Florida, for more than 30 years, where she served faithfully and remained committed to her church family and her walk with God.
She was the eldest of her mother’s three children and was preceded in death by her brother, Ernest, and her sisters, Veronica, Ernestine, Gladys, and Gloria. Her loving spirit will continue to live on through her two surviving siblings, Jackie and Kenneth. She was also preceded in death by her son, Tony McPherson.
Thelma leaves to cherish her memory her children: Alphonso McPherson, Joseph McPherson, and Rochelle McPherson; along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other extended family, neighbors, and dear friends who will forever hold her love and legacy in their hearts.
Raised in Nassau, Bahamas, Thelma accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at an early age and carried her faith with her throughout her life. At the age of 16, she returned to Miami, Florida, where she attended trade school and began building a life rooted in hard work and determination. In the 1950s, she began her career as a phlebotomist at Saint Francis Hospital, where she faithfully served for decades until her retirement in 1991.
Thelma was a devoted member of Temple Baptist Church in Miami, Florida, for more than 30 years, where she served faithfully and remained committed to her church family and her walk with God.
She was the eldest of her mother’s three children and was preceded in death by her brother, Ernest, and her sisters, Veronica, Ernestine, Gladys, and Gloria. Her loving spirit will continue to live on through her two surviving siblings, Jackie and Kenneth. She was also preceded in death by her son, Tony McPherson.
Thelma leaves to cherish her memory her children: Alphonso McPherson, Joseph McPherson, and Rochelle McPherson; along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other extended family, neighbors, and dear friends who will forever hold her love and legacy in their hearts.