Dorothy Loretta Bigard

Ms. Dorothy Loretta Bigard, affectionately known as “Ma, Retta and Ms. Dot”, gave up her earthly home on Monday, July 3, 2023, at St. Camillus Home in Stamford, CT. She is now at peace.

Ms. Dot was the smiling daughter of the late Beatrice Campbell and the late Alford Whethers. She was born on December 11, 1946, in Hartsville, South Carolina. She was educated in the Darlington County School system and graduated from Butler High School class of 1965.

After high school, Dot went on to graduate from Friendship College with her associate degree in 1967. She then moved to New Haven, CT to be with her cousin David Campbell. Here is where she met her first love Albany Leon Bigard. The two were married in 1968 for 10yrs.

Dot was gainfully employed at Southern New England Telephone Company in 1969 as an operator and retired after 42 years of service in 2011. She was also a dedicated member of Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church for over 30 years. She loved to bake and cook so naturally she served the church in the kitchen. Ms. Dot also lived on West Ivy St for more than 40 years where she gained a village that supported her and helped raise her children.

If you know her you know that she had a permanent smile on her face, was sweet as her candied yams, loved going home every summer to be with family and was a Cowboys fan.

Dot leaves to cherish her memory her son Mark (Tara) Bigard and daughter Nikia Bigard, 4 grandchildren, Makayla and Alana Bigard, Kennedi Stafford and Shai McKinnie. Sister-in-love Brenda (Michael) Wells, nieces Syreeta Wells, Porsha Campbell, nephews Robert Jr and Malcolm Campbell. Special cousins, Caroline Benjamin, Lillie Mae Davis, Jeanette Peterson, Tommie Lil Davis. Special friends, Miriam Jackson, Vivian Robinson and Mary Marsh, she is also survived by a host of cousins, friends and family.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her two brothers James Campbell and Robert Campbell.

A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held on Friday July 14, 2023 at Christian Tabernacle Church, 425 New Hall Street, Hamden at 10:30am. Condolences may be expressed at Colonialfunerals.com.