Barbara Ann Lopes Lloyd

Barbara Ann Lopes Lloyd, 86, of Burlington, passed away peacefully with her family surrounding her at Alamance County Regional Hospital on December 23, 2017.

She was born in Granby, Quebec, Canada on February 5, 1931 to the late John F. Lopes and Anna McLean Lopes. Barbara moved to Burlington after marrying Harold Brown Lloyd, a young textile executive from Raleigh who rented a room at her best friend’s home in Granby during a brief work assignment there with Burlington Industries. They were married for 51 years until his death in 2009.

Barbara was a pioneer in early childhood education in Burlington as the founder of Valleydale Playschool, a daily preschool program she operated from 1967 until 1979 from her home while raising her young children. For the next 32 years, she owned and managed the X Stitch Loft, a cross-stitch retail business she ran until her retirement at age 80. Barbara had many loyal customers throughout the southeast and enjoyed working on custom projects while catching up with friends and customers who stopped by on a regular basis.

Barbara was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, where she was a former Deacon, Sunday school teacher and Playschool board member. She was active in the Jimmy Byrd Sunday School Class, the Friendship Group, Circle #5, serving as the Treasurer for many years, and the Bereavement Team. In recent years, she cross-stitched baptismal certificates for infants baptized at First Presbyterian Church. Barbara was the former President of the Junior Women’s Club and a member of the Burlington Cotillion Club. She enjoyed attending plays and concerts and was a long-time member of two bridge clubs. A sports enthusiast, she had season tickets to the Burlington Royals baseball games and loved watching Tar Heel basketball games, especially with her children, all of whom attended UNC-Chapel Hill.

Barbara was happiest when spending time with family and friends. She loved to entertain, had a true gift of hospitality, and a unique ability to make everyone feel special. Barbara was greatly loved by her family and friends, and she will be incredibly missed.

Barbara is survived by five children and their families: Lee Lloyd, his wife, Ellen, and their children, William and Anna, all of Greensboro; Alan Lloyd, his wife, Laura, and their children, Madison and Alec, all of Greensboro; Jay Lloyd, his wife, Sherry, and their children, Philip of Georgetown, Texas and Paige of Raleigh, NC; Cindy Lloyd Thompson and her husband, Jeffrey, of Stoney Creek, NC, and their children, Blair and Garrett, of Winston-Salem, NC; and Jennifer Lloyd Halsey and her children Cortlandt, Stephen, Henry and Kate, and their father, Nick Halsey, all of Atherton, California. She is also survived by her sister, Katherine Lopes Wherrett, and her husband, Brian, of Kingston, Ontario, and two brothers, John “Chip” Lopes and wife, Sheila, of Toronto, Ontario, and Richard “Dick” Lopes and wife, Phyllis, of Greer, SC, as well as many nieces and nephews, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband, their daughter, Linda Ann Lloyd, her brother, Jackie Lopes, and her parents.

Barbara’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to her many friends and neighbors who provided support, care and love for her, especially Dr. Robert and Ann Carter, Betty Jean and Bill Roberts, Chip and Sarah Wright, Beverly and Bo Newman, and Faye Bowen.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., led by Dr. Ron Shive. The family will greet friends at a reception immediately following the service in the John Knox Room at First Presbyterian Church. There will be a private graveside service prior to the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 508 West Davis Street, Burlington, NC 27215, Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215, or to a charity of one’s choice.

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