May 7, 2026, 91, Calypso – Mrs. Adele Pigford Baker, 91, Calypso native and long-time resident, passed away early Thursday morning, May 7, 2026, at Kitty Askins Hospice where she was being cared for with love and compassion. Her immediate family was with her when death came.
Mrs. Baker had been a life-long member of the Calypso Presbyterian Church. It was there that she received a honorary life membership. She had been quite active in all facets of the church, including being a Sunday school teacher, a deacon, an elder, a Women’s Circle chairperson, a teacher at Vacation Bible School, among other duties as they came along.
Aside from being a wife and mother and working in the home, she had worked also at a sewing room in Calypso, had assisted her brother, Doug, with data processing, had been employed at Burlington Industries, and at the North Duplin Schools where she had been cafeteria cashier, and from which she retired.
Mrs. Baker who had been fiercely independent, was known for her enjoyment of playing Canasta, and for RV camping with her husband and family.
The Baker family will be receiving friends at Tyndall Funeral Home on Monday, May 11, from 6 until 8 p.m. Services at which her long, fruitful life will be remembered, will be Tuesday, May 12, at 2:00 p.m. at Calypso Presbyterian Church with Pastor Nick Nielsen officiating. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery in Mount Olive. It was her wish that memorial gifts be made to Calypso Presbyterian Church, PO Box 321, Calypso,NC 28325.
Mrs. Baker leaves behind her four children, Sandra B. Holland and husband, Rick Holland, of Mount Olive, Edward “Eddie” Baker and wife, Shelly Baker, of St. Corix, Virgin Islands, Mary Helen Cottle of Calypso, and special friend, Jimmy Byrd, of Faison, and Angela Baker-James and husband, John James, of Raleigh. Her beloved grandchildren include Ryan Holland and wife, Emily, Whitney H. Fincannon and husband, Rod, Chris Cottle and wife, Maggie, Hunter Cottle, Sydney Baker and fiance, Willie, Savannah Baker and partner, Johnny, Hannah James and partner, Taylor, Lily James, and Molly James; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; her nieces and nephews, and their families; and many good friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney S. Baker; her parents, Hicks and Helen Adams Pigford; and her siblings, Elias Pigford, Mary P. Vernon, Tom Pigford, Doug Pigford, Virginia P. Yde, and Ed Pigford.
