Barbara Ruggles Allsbrook, 75, of 936 East Seventh Street, Roanoke Rapids, N.C., died on February 21, 2007, in Richmond, Virginia, after a brief illness. Barbara was born in 1931 in Reading, Massachusetts, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Carter K. Ruggles. After graduating from Reading High School, Barbara studied at Endicott College before working at a public relations firm in New York City and later at an investment firm in Boston. In 1956, she married Richard B. Allsbrook and moved south, first to Chapel Hill and then to Roanoke Rapids. Although she maintained close relationships with family and friends in New England, Roanoke Rapids became her true home and she loved the town and its people. The only evidence that she was not a native southerner was her charming and distinctive pronunciation of her "r's". She was warm, caring, and compassionate, and was genuinely interested in the lives of the people with whom she came into contact. Barbara's sparkling smile, joyful laugh, keen sense of humor, and wonderful personality brightened any room she entered. Over the years, Barbara nurtured her friends and loved ones with thoughtful cards, telephone calls, visits, and her famous sourdough bread. She always had time to talk and reach out to others. She was active in the Rosemary Baptist Church, The Weldon Thursday Afternoon Club, and other civic and social organizations. Barbara was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She was a true friend who was loved by many people and will be greatly missed. Barbara's life ended suddenly but she lived her days fully and well with a kind, generous heart. Barbara is survived by her husband of 50 years, Richard B. Allsbrook, of Roanoke Rapids; a daughter and son, Barbara Alison Allsbrook of Roanoke and Richard Brown Allsbrook, Jr. of Boston; sons-in-law, Curtis M. Worrell and Stephen M. Smith; four grandsons, Richard H. Aylor and R. Carter Aylor of Roanoke, Jarrod T. Worrell of Raleigh, and Tyler M. Worrell of Chicago; a sister, Elaine R. Irwin of Naples, Florida; sisters-in-law, Mary-Frances Allsbrook Fisher and her late husband Marion L. Fisher, and Alice Allsbrook Auchmoody and her husband Blake P. Auchmoody; nieces and nephews, Cindy Irwin, Barbara Szymanski, Janice Burroughs, Blake Auchmoody, Jr., GiGi Robson, and Bill Auchmoody; and many beloved friends. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 24, 2007, at Rosemary Baptist Church, with Dr. Lavelle Waters officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery. Askew Funeral & Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids is handling the arrangements, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, February 23, 2007. Memorial contributions may be made to Rosemary Baptist Church, 936 Jackson St., Roanoke Rapids, N.C. 27870.
Published in the Roanoke Times on 2/23/2007.