Barbara Jean (Laughridge) Nichols

Mrs. Barbara Jean Laughridge Nichols, 89 of Mount Airy passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at Surry Community Health and Rehabilitation in Mount Airy.  Mrs. Nichols was born on August 26, 1932, in Surry County to the late Wade and Geneva Neal Laughridge.  Barbara met the love of her life Johnny E. Nichols, and they were married on September 15, 1949.  They were together through happy days and sad days, never leaving one another’s side except in death.  Some of her favorite memories were dancing with Johnny at weekly dances at the local VFW where Johnny was a member.  On Saturday mornings they would get up early, pack their car, and take their children on an early morning excursion on the Blue Ridge Parkway,  stopping at picnic areas to cook breakfast and hike in the area. Barbara missed her husband after his passing and often talked of rejoining him at the house not made with hands eternal in the heavens.  She will be sorely missed by her surviving family, but she will rejoice in being reunited with her family and friends who preceded her in death.  Barbara went to Mount Airy High School and retired after many years from Hanes Brand (formally Adams Millis Corporation) Company.  Barbara is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Cyndi Nichols McAlexander and husband John of Mount Airy, Judi Nichols Warden and husband Sam of Winston-Salem, Lynn Nichols Goad and husband Mark of Mount Airy; one grandson, Gabe Morton; a step grandson, Phillip Goad, Kathy Puckett Nichols and Clark; sisters and brother-in-law, Carrie Johnson and husband Mark of South Carolina, Evon Repaire and husband Richard of South Carolina, Mariea Richardson and husband Stewart of Colorado; and brother and sister-in-law, Robert Monday and wife Debbie of North Carolina.  In addition to her parents, Mrs. Nichols was preceded in death by her husband Johnny E. Nichols, a son Clark L. Nichols; and a sister, Jane Laughridge Dunbar.  A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tommy Nichols officiating.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 until the time of the service at the funeral home.  Burial will follow in the Doe Run Baptist Church Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200 Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030, Doe Run Baptist Church, 903 Doe Run Road, Ararat, Virginia 24053, or a charity of the donor’s choice.  Moody Funeral Service in Mount Airy is serving the family.