Barbara Folger Chatham, age 95, died peacefully in her home surrounded by family on December 12, 2022.  She was born in Mount Airy North Carolina, on October 16, 1927, daughter of Congressman Fred Folger, Sr. and Mary Mills Fawcett Folger, and younger sister of her beloved brother, Fred Folger, Jr.  Fred and Barbara would be inseparable for the next 89 years until his passing in 2016.

She attended Mount Airy High School and was a graduate of Salem College, after which she taught elementary school.  It was during this time that she met the man that would become the love of her life, Richard Thurmond Chatham, Jr., President of Chatham Manufacturing Company.  After an idealistic courtship, Barbara and R.T. were married in 1949. They moved to Roundabout Farm, where they reared their five boys, and spent the next 35 years of their life together until his untimely passing in 1984.

Barbara was a stranger to none and a friend to nearly everyone she encountered.  She was known for her beautiful and generous heart, gentle kind spirit, bright cheerful humor and her devotion to God, family, friends and community.

Barbara was an adoring mother to five boys, grandmother to 15, great grandmother to 17, and taught the same Sunday school class for over 54 years, beginning with that of her own children.  Famous to her grandchildren and great grandchildren for her candy drawer and drives to the BP, Barbara's energy was unsurpassable and her desire to bring joy to those around her endless.

She was an active philanthropist and member of First United Methodist Church of Elkin and United Methodist Women. She served on the Salem College Board of Trustees, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, and The Chatham Foundation Board of Directors. She served as President of the Hospital Auxiliary, Vice President of the Chatham Foundation, and was a member of the Winston-Salem Foundation Elkin Advisory Board. She served as Chairman of the Wilkes County Library Board and was a member of the Lucy Hanes Chatham Club and Roaring Gap Club as well as, co-owner of The Hummingbird gift shop.

Additionally, Barbara enjoyed tending to her garden, spending time with her adoring family, friends, and greeting everyone she met with her warm smile and a glass of sweet tea.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Thurmond Chatham, Jr., her brother, Fred Folger Jr., and her longtime friend, Ted Barnes.

Barbara is survived by Hanes Chatham Sr., Fred Chatham (Teresa), Rick Chatham (Maricela), Chris Chatham (Jennifer), Mike Chatham (Genia Harmon), 15 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren.

A graveside committal service will be held in Hollywood Cemetery in Elkin, NC on Saturday, December 17 ^th at 1:00 p.m.  A memorial service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Elkin conducted by Reverend Howard Fleming and Dr. Bill Johnson.  The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Elkin P.O Box 69, Elkin, NC 28621, the R.T. Chatham Garden at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital 180 Parkwood Drive, Elkin, NC 28621, or Salem College 601 South Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

John Kennedy, Funeral Director is assisting the Chatham Family with funeral arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.jkennedyfsl.com