Babs Elliott

Born on May 20, 1953, in Alabama, Barbara “Babs” Elliott (known as Barb) was the daughter of R.C. Elliott and Jessie May Foy. She grew up in the Birmingham area, but made Fort Wayne, IN her home and remained there until her passing on August 4, 2026, at the age of 73.

Known for being kind, caring, creative, loving, and compassionate, Barb was a natural giver. She welcomed people without judgment, offered a helping hand whenever she could, and often expressed her love through food, thoughtful gestures, and acts of generosity. She loved cooking and grilling for family, often using vegetables from her garden. Drawing and coloring were among her favorite pastimes, with butterflies, flowers, and cats being primary inspirations. Enjoying music was one of her well-known characteristics. Al Green, Luther Vandross, The O’Jays, and The Isley Brothers were her favorite artists.

Barb especially valued opportunities to work with young people and was able to do so through her employment with Fort Wayne Community Schools. She loved giving back to her community and proudly served her country as a member of the United States Army and Air Force.

Above all, Barb treasured her family. One of her greatest joys was watching her son, Robert “Jamael” Elliott, and her beloved granddaughters, Jada Elliott and Wynter Elliott, grow and thrive. She taught Jamael the importance of kindness, prayer, generosity, and trusting God. Her faith was captured in a phrase she often repeated: “The Lord will make a way.” Those words reflected the resilience and hope with which Barb approached life.

She leaves a legacy of love, generosity, service, faith, and devotion to her son, Robert “Jamael” Elliott; granddaughters, Jada Elliott and Wynter Elliott; extended family, longtime friends; and the many people whose lives were touched by her special friend, Lillian Underwood; and the many people whose lives were touched by her kindness and who will cherish her memory.

She was preceded in death by her father, R.C. Elliott; mother, Jessie May Foy; stepmother, Bennie Parker Elliott; brothers, Earl Elliott, Victor Elliott, and Douglas Elliott; sister, Lois Elliott Robinson; special friend and “play mother,” Louise Payton, Jamael’s paternal grandmother.

Barb’s legacy will live on through the faith, kindness, generosity, respect, and compassion she modeled and the people she loved so well.