Bertram F. Babers III

Bertram F. Babers III of Laurel Hill, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of December 5, 2023 at the age of 91, with his wife of 71 years and his four daughters by his side. He was born on August 3, 1932 to Bertram F. Babers Jr. and Vida Pelayo Babers. A graduate of Baton Rouge High School and Louisiana State University School of Business, he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. At LSU, he met his sweetheart, Jerry Green, and married her in 1952. He served as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy and was forever sharing “a little trick I learned in the Navy” with his children. He manufactured architectural wood doors. He served on the board of Friends of Rosedown and as President of the Police Jury in West Feliciana Parish. A lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, he served on the Vestry of St. James in Baton Rouge and later at Grace in St. Francisville and St. John’s in Laurel Hill.

He accepted leadership challenges and always stood by his word. He believed in hard work and expected it of others, who also worked hard, and sometimes met his expectations. He loved walking in the woods and sharing family history. He was an expert craftsman, but might be best remembered for telling stories around the Sunday dinner table after church. Most noticeable to all generations of family and friends was his faith and the manner in which he lived out his beliefs.

Bert was preceded in death by his parents, his son Michael Babers, and sons-in-law Jimmy Benton and Steve Parnell. He is survived by his wife, Jerry, and his daughters Lauri Dooley (Brian), Noël Parnell, Nancy Colia (Cliff), and Ellen Babers Ellis (Michael). He was loved dearly by his grandchildren Alyson Curry (Jason), Nancy Roberts (Trey), Ann Fraser (Andrew), Michael Benton, William Benton (Claudia), Cary Fitzmorris (Paul), Emma Achorn (Tray), Ben Colia (Karlie), Jeff Colia, Carter Colia (Grace) and Nathaniel Ellis. He will also be missed by 21 great-grandchildren and five nieces and nephews.

Visitation at Grace Church in St. Francisville from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, December 8. Graveside service at 10:00 am, Saturday, December 9 at the Lemon-Jackson Cemetery, St. John’s Church, Laurel Hill. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. John’s Church, c/o Grace Church, PO Box 28, St. Francisville, LA 70775, or a charity of your choice.

To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rabenhorst.com.