Rachel Viola Babcock

Rachel (Dewberry) Babcock, age 97, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2018, in Lansing, Michigan. Rachel was born on August 7, 1921 in Malta, Montana to Edward and Gustina Juderjohn, who had homesteaded in the Montana territory. In the mid-1920's the family moved back to Mason, Michigan the home of Gustina. Rachel graduated from Mason High School in 1939. She obtained her teaching credential and taught in two Ingham County schools. In the 1950's she completed graduate studies in education at Michigan State University.

She enlisted in the WAVES in 1943 where she served until 1945. She was a Morse-code radio operator responsible for communicating with blimps on anti-U-boat patrol. Her main duty station was Glynco Naval Air Station in Brunswick, GA. Her main duty station was Glynco Naval Air Station in Brunswick, GA. While there, she met Charles E. Dewberry, a marine who had served in the Pacific Theater. After the war, they married and moved to Lansing, Michigan where Charles worked at the Oldsmobile Assembly Plant and Rachel returned to teaching. She retired from the Lansing School system in 1979.

Charles and Rachel had four children; Thomas Dewberry of Florence, OR, Nancy Dewberry Weaver of Lansing, MI, Dan Dewberry of Olivet, MI, and Susan Dewberry Fahy, of County Galway, Ireland. In 1962, the family moved to a farm in Eaton Rapids. In 1963, her husband died. She raised the four children while teaching in the Lansing School systems. Rachel enjoyed canoeing and camping in Michigan and those trips were the highlight of family activities. She also enjoyed acting in the Little Theater productions in Eaton Rapids. She married Floyd Babcock in 1970. Floyd and Rachel enjoyed traveling the country for several years. They also attended many service related reunions.

Rachel is proceeded in death by her parents; brother, Elmer Juderjohn of Mason, MI; sister, Carol Pollack of Perry, MI; and her two husbands, Charles E. Dewberry of Sylacauga, AL and Floyd A. Babcock of Lansing, MI.

She is survived by her four children; four grandchildren, Dylan Dewberry of Eugene, Oregon, Andrew Dewberry of Florence, OR, Bobbie and Chris Weaver of Lansing, MI; great-grandchildren, Xavier, Jared, Gabriel, Andrew, Amber, and Andrea of Lansing, MI; and one great-great-grandchild, Jaxson Weaver of Lansing, MI.

Many thanks to the staff of Independence Village, East Lansing, MI and the Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, Lansing, MI for providing quality care during the last seven years.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Washington, DeWitt, MI 48820. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Those desiring may make contributions to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, 1210 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48911 or a charity of their choice.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.grdewitt.com