Barbara Nichols Padgett (89), or as her close family back home would call her — Bobby Jane, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 19th, 2024 surrounded by her family.
Barbara was a native of Huddleston, Virginia. While working at C&P Phone Company she met and fell in love with Bobbie Padgett, after being introduced by his sister. The two eventually moved to Roanoke, Virginia, where they built a life and family together.
Barbara was the daughter of Jennie Lou and Alvin Nichols, both deceased. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Her love for her family was unconditional and there was nothing she would not do for them.
She was happiest when surrounded by her family, with delicious home cooked food and card games on the table. Her specialties were spaghetti, lasagna and beef vegetable soup — all of which were made more delicious by using home grown ingredients from Bobbie’s garden.
As far as cards go, she could play Rook into the wee hours of the morning. She had an infuriating ability to make something out of nothing with just about any hand she was dealt. It was fun to be her partner and maddening to be on her opposing team.
Some of our best memories are of gatherings with her siblings, where there would be 5-6 Rook card tables going simultaneously. Barbara was the youngest of fifteen Nichols siblings, all deceased, so her generation passes along with her.
Barbara loved college basketball and was a diehard UVA Cavalier fan. Her granddaughter graduated from UNC, however, and worked hard to convert Barbara into a Tar Heel. We aren’t sure if it ever actually worked, but she told us it did.
Barbara is survived by one daughter, Sabrina Lewis of High Point, North Carolina, and two granddaughters, Brittany Blue, and her husband, Tom, of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Carrington Lumley, and her husband, Devin, of Linwood, North Carolina.
A graveside memorial service will be held at Longwood Cemetery in Bedford, Virginia on Saturday, April 27 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Lung Association.
