Barbara Jean Armstrong Babb, a lifelong resident of Shreveport, Louisiana went home to be with her Lord and Savior at the age of 79 on Monday, June 21, 2021. She was born March 20, 1942 to Elais Jefferson and Betty Sue Carr Armstrong. Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother (mimi), great grandmother and friend to many. Even though she was small in stature, she was a pillar in her community and had one of the biggest personalities you would ever meet. She truly touched everyone she came into contact with, leaving you with stories and laughter.
Barbara was a devoted Christian who enjoyed studying the Bible. She was a dedicated member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. She was active in the church choir and a Sunday School teacher in the children's department. She loved sharing God's word and praying for her church family. Above all she loved the Lord and spreading his word. She served in her church for many years and her sacrifice and love will be dearly missed.
Barbara and her husband, Ralph worked together at Western Electric that later became AT&T retiring after 35 years of service working on the assembly line. After retiring, she started to work at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home as the receptionist for the last 18 years, where she knew everyone that walked through the door and greeted them with a smile. She had a gift for making everyone feel special and loved. Her fiery red hair matched her spunky personality.
In the early 1980s, Barbara Babb became the director of Spurettes, a nonprofit baton twirling and marching organization which later became competitive. At the time, her daughter, Beverly Babb Lee, was a member of the group that needed a new director, and Barbara took on the job. She only planned to direct the organization for one year, which turned into decades. During her time as director, she impacted the lives of hundreds of athletes. She used every opportunity to talk about her Lord & Savior making sure every child heard the gospel. Although there were hundreds of girls over the years who went through the program, Mrs. Babb loved each one of them as her own children and grandchildren. Her legacy will not be forgotten, and will live on in the hearts and lives of all the Spurettes she has touched.
Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Vickie Babb Hollowell and Beverly Babb Lee with her husband Jonathan; five granddaughters, Barbara Lee Babb, Courtlyn Victoria Lee and Fiancé, Jeremy Ratliff, Caragan Elizabeth Lee and Fiancé, Micah Wagar, Cameron Anne Lee and special friend, Bryce Birdsong, Caroline Grace Lee and special friend, Jayden Ford; a great granddaughter, Keaghan McKinlee Ratliff; soon to be great grandson, Barrett Grey Wagar and two brothers, Kendall Armstrong with his wife Cindy and Kenneth Armstrong with his wife Pat. To know her was to love her.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Ralph Anthony Babb, Sr.; son, Ralph "Buddy" Anthony Babb, Jr; son-in-law, James "Eddie" Edward Hollowell and her parents.
A visitation for Barbara will be held Thursday, June 24, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108. A celebration of life will occur Friday, June 25, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 5850 Buncombe Rd, Shreveport, Louisiana 71129. Interment will occur following the service in Centuries Memorial Park. Pastor Chad Hardbarger will be officiating and Bro. Billy Crosby will be singing. Serving as pallbearers will be David Lemoine, Jonathan Lee, Jeremy Ratliff, Micah Wagar, Bryce Birdsong, and Jayden Ford.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CenturiesMemorialFH.com for the Babb family.
