Shirley "Sherm" Babbitt

With great sorrow and bittersweet gratitude, the Babbitt, Dykes, Randall, Klebe, Franklin and Nance families announce the passing of our kind, brave, caring and unimaginably generous wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Shirley Murrell Williams Babbitt, at the age of 90 on March 13, 2022. Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1932, she was one of 9 children born to Frank and Nancy Williams. Second to youngest, she spent many joyous hours in her youth helping her older siblings with their children, who were close to her in age and grew up with her.

Moving to California at the age of 15, she spent 2 years living with her older sister and exploring the state. At 17, she moved back to San Antonio and her life took a new path. On an afternoon walk downtown with her sister Lurlene, she introduced Shirley to one of her friends, Birdie Babbitt. Quickly smitten, their first date was to play miniature golf and they continued to see each other until she returned to California with her family for Christmas in 1949. Missing her, Birdie sent his love through the wire by dedicating Elvis Presley’s “I’ll have a Blue Christmas Without You” to her on the radio. Returning to San Antonio, they continued to date until Birdie asked her to look at his buttons on his shirt, which has an engagement ring on one of them. Delighted, she accepted and they were married on May 5, 1950.

After two years of marriage, they welcomed their first child, Pamela Lynn, in July 1952 and their second child, Terri Denise, in January 1962. A homemaker, Shirley was very involved in her children’s life, participating in everything from Room Mother at their school to Brownie Troup leader. Raising their girls in “Tansyl house”, she and Birdie were steadfast friends to Milburn and Marvin Hoffman, Barbara and Ray Hall and Elva and Roy Hart. From painting ceramics to vacationing together, they were lifelong friends and stayed close even after they moved different directions.

In her spare time, Shirley loved working as a Bluebird at Methodist Hospital. She really enjoyed delivering flowers and messages to patients and volunteered there for years. She also loved working in her backyard with a multitude of hanging plants. In fact, it was well known within her family that she’d always wait until the last minute – or closer to 11 PM – in the winter to decide all of those hanging plants needed to come in for the night to avoid any freezing weather. She could also be found tossing corn to the deer that frequented the backyard or cooing to her white doves, which she raised for years. She and Birdie also loved traveling and spent years and years traveling less traveled roads. From California to Colorado to Kentucky, nothing would thrill her more than getting the 4 PM call from Birdie saying pack a bag and let’s head out for the weekend. They especially loved trips in the fall to see it in all its colorful glory. And if she wasn’t in the backyard or off galivanting with Birdie, she was in the kitchen. The crockpot queen, she loved baking and was well known for her Mississippi Mudd and Better than Sex Cakes!

All that aside, one of her most important roles was as Nana. Welcoming her first grandchild in 1972, she loved cuddling all her babies. She was a very special Nana to five grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and many honorary grands that she loved as her own. She would always tell them to come sit with her for a picture and loved seeing them as much as she could. When are you coming to see me was a frequent question and she always followed them to the driveway, waving until they left sight. The last view of that wave will be dearly missed.

Faith was a strong thread throughout her life and we all know she’s traveling those backroads of Heaven with Birdie by her side, hair all sprayed up and nails French manicured. Around the mid-sixties she joined a church with Birdie that she continued to worship in until her last breath. Through several different church name changes, she held strong in her faith and was a much-loved member of the congregation. Wednesday evening, Sunday morning and Sunday evenings you could find her either singing the hymns or in the nursery, rocking sweet babies as she sang to them. When she could no longer physically attend church, she was constantly listening to her beloved quartets, singing right along with them. Working at the National Quartet Convention in Kentucky for years, there was nothing she loved more than raising her voice in praise.

Shirley/Sherm/Nana leaves behind two beloved daughters and their spouses – Pam Dykes & Danny Nance and Terri Babbitt -, five grandchildren – Jennifer & Kevin Randall, Tiffany & Scott Klebe, Kristi Babbitt & Shea Franklin, Stephen & Casey Nance and Brandi Nance -, eight great-grandchildren – Zachary & Kalyn Randall, Kayley, Jayce & Jax Klebe, Maverick Babbitt, Aiden Breeden and Faith & Grace Nance, honorary grandchildren – Matt, Tina, Sandy, Brandon, Kelli & Courtney -, and several nieces, nephews and countless friends.

Following her wishes, a Celebration of Life will be scheduled in April at Cornerstone Chapel for immediate family and friends. We’ll all be waiting on the chapel driveway waving our goodbyes until we meet again.