Loretta Nigh Bumgarner

Mrs. Loretta Nigh Bumgarner, 89, passed away peacefully Friday, May 16, 2025, at her home in Kernersville. Loretta was born in Forsyth County on October 22, 1935, to Thelma Allen and George Boyd Nigh. She was raised in Winston-Salem and graduated from Gray High School. She worked for Pilot Freight Carriers for 25 years, and after a brief move to Oklahoma with her family, she returned to North Carolina where she worked for Pope Companies in Kernersville until she retired.

Loretta was an incredibly kind individual, and she had a great love for animals. Whether feathered or furry, she always wanted to make sure that any stray who crossed her path had a snack waiting for them. She was even known to feed the crows, skunks, and squirrels that showed up at her home.

She enjoyed trips to the beach and the lake and most of all, her annual adventures to Las Vegas with husband. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she met many long-lasting friends and where she enjoyed participating in activities with the B-Friendly group.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 37 years, Jerril (Bumgarner), and her brother, Carl “Peck” Nigh. Left to cherish her memory are her loving daughter Deneen DeCost of Rochester, NH, and her only sister, Gale Nigh Creighton of Sun City, CA. She will be missed immensely by those who knew and loved her.

The family would like to extend an extra special thank you to neighbor and friend, Fran Johnson of Kernersville, for her unwavering love and support throughout the last several years.

The family would also like to extend a special thank you to the team at Wellcare Hospice, as well as a warm thank you to Wanda Jonas, Thomisa Brown, Belinda Moore, Gay Earl, Sara Cufr, and Brittany Mabe who provided love, support, and in-home care for Loretta over the last several years.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Forsyth Memorial Park in Winston Salem. Dr. Steve Martin will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers and in memoriam, please send donations to the American Heart Association American Heart Association P.O. Box 840692 Dallas, TX 75284-0692