Sally Hargett Nyberg, affectionately known as “Grand Mama,” of New Bern, N.C., departed this life on April 5, 2026, having been a beacon of love and compassion all her life.
Born in Jones County, N.C., to the late Claude and Mamie Hargett on Dec. 21, 1929, Sally was a dedicated and hardworking woman who had a profound love for her family, her faith, and the natural world. In her lifetime, Sally devoted herself to her role as a homemaker, finding great joy in caring for her home and those within it. She loved gardening, tending to her flowers, and filling her home with warmth, beauty, and love. Her nurturing spirit created a space where family and friends always felt welcomed and cherished. Her life was a testament to the quote, “The best portion of a good woman’s life is her little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” Sally was a true embodiment of this sentiment. She lived her life as a committed Catholic, her faith guiding her actions and her interactions with the world around her. In her personal life, Sally was a loving mother and a devoted matriarch.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude Hargett and Mamie Hargett; her husband, John Helmer Nyberg Sr.; and her children, Kirk Nyberg and John Nyberg Jr.
She is survived by her children, Charlene Ensminger, Dane Nyberg, Eric Nyberg, and Sean Nyberg. She also leaves behind a legacy of love through her 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
She was also a passionate gardener, with her favorite flowers being lilies, crape myrtles, and azaleas. The beauty of her garden was only surpassed by the beauty of her soul. She remained a New Bern local her entire life, her roots as deeply entwined with this place as the plants she so lovingly tended. Sally’s memory will live on in the hearts of her children and all who knew her. Her life was a testament to the power of love, dedication, and generosity, and she will be profoundly missed. As we journey forward without her physical presence, may we all strive to live as Sally did, with her unwavering conviction that the most important thing in life is family.
A private graveside service will take place at a later date with family.
Please visit Sally’s memorial page to share memories, photos, and stories that celebrate her life. Your heartfelt tributes serve as a testament to Sally’s impact on our lives, a beacon of light in this time of sorrow.
Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care is honored to serve the family and friends of Sally Hargett Nyberg.
To plant a tree in memory of Sally Nyberg as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.