WILMINGTON — Barbara ’Memaw’ Brock Pigford died July 27, 2024 in Wilmington, North Carolina at the age of 75.
Barbara is survived by her son Mitchell Dale Pigford Jr. (Carolyn), her beloved grandchildren Derrick Pigford (Blair), Darsha Aldous (Joel), Brittni Ricci (Matt), Jeffrey Connolly (Maggie), Brock Pigford, Joss and Jamie Williamson, and Cassidy (Chris) and Dylan McLean (Chaney). Memaw was also blessed with great-grandchildren Valen Pigford, her namesake Barbara Aldous, and Liam Ricci and Lilly Ricci. In addition to grandkids, “Aunt Barbara” is survived by nephews James ‘Jimmy’ Brock (Faye), Chris Brock, Mike Pigford (Bobbie) Walt Pigford Jr. (Leigh) and niece Melissa Wright (Brendon). She is also survived by her beloved daughter-in-law Tina Hudspeth.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Roscoe and Marie Brock, her daughter Nicole, her brother Randy and her nephew Paul. She was widowed in 2000 when the love of her life, her husband of 36 years, Mitchell Pigford passed away.
Barbara was born in Wilmington NC, New Hanover County. A student at New Hanover High School she married Mitchell, her childhood sweetheart. Mitchell and Barbara raised their two children Dale and Nicole in their Wilmington home.
Barbara was passionate about working. Despite her small stature, she proved to be tougher than anyone expected in the male-dominated field of industrial insulation. In her field, she climbed scaffolding and led a sometimes rowdy crew, yet she always found time to be a generous and giving mother.
After Mitch died, Barbara moved to Maryland to work at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Facility and made very special friends while living there. Many summers of fun and vacations to Aruba with her friends were enjoyed by Barbara when she wasn’t working. Barbara’s work life was stopped short when an injury caused her to retire before she was ready. She valiantly fought to regain mobility, and though she was slowed down some, she never quit being tough. She moved back to Wilmington to her lovely Mill Hill house and spent the rest of her years in Wilmington.
As Barbara got older, she enjoyed sewing and jewelry creation and often gifted loved ones with her fantastic designs and crafts. Barbara had a servant’s heart, donating her time and talent to multiple endeavors with her beloved Salvation Army church. One of her most lovely was sewing outfits for babies in the NICU that did not survive at birth. Having lost several infant children herself, she knew a mother’s anguish and used her incredible talents to donate any way she could. The men and women of the Salvation Army fondly remember Barbara as a woman who dedicated many hours to the church and never shied away from doing things to support it.
Barbara was a 2-time cancer survivor and amazed everyone with her grit. She never suffered fools and knew how to comfort and spoil the ones she loved. Her son Dale fondly remembers that Barbara never knew a stranger, was the best cook around, and treated every child like one of her own. Her nickname ‘Memaw’ began when her first grandson Derrick called her that and the name stuck for life. Barbara was a loving force of nature. She will be forever remembered and admired by all of the people who knew and loved her.
‘And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise”’ Luke 23:43
The date for a service of remembrance has not been set. The family will announce via social media the specifics. The family would especially like to thank Faye Brock for her loving thoughtfulness during Barbara’s illness. We would also like to thank the kind people of the Salvation Army church for their support and beautiful friendships with Barbara.
