Barbara "Bb" Becker Bailey

Barbara Becker Bailey (BB) was born in Brookhaven, MS on August 10, 1925 to Ruth Hoyer and Martin Grover (Cleve) Becker, and died peacefully at age 96 on December 28, 2021 at her daughter’s home in Mandeville, LA.

Barbara was first married to the late Lewis James (Jimmy) Rutledge, MD; they had three daughters, all of whom survive BB: Madeline Jane Rutledge, married to Clave Ernest Gill III; Kathleen Becker Rutledge, widow of the late Michael Hall Lorenzen; and Priscilla Ann Rutledge, married to William Kujawski. Barbara later married Van Bailey, who predeceased her. Barbara’s sisters Jane Becker Heidelberg and Lydy Becker Henley and her brother Martin (Mike) Becker also predeceased her.

Barbara graduated from Brookhaven High in 1943 and received her B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from LSU in 1947. At LSU, Barbara was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She took flying lessons and soloed before her 21st birthday.

After college, Barbara worked for the California Company (later Chevron) before starting her family. At age 49, after her divorce from Jimmy and with her children grown, Barbara returned to the petroleum industry, earned her MBA from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and worked as a Safety Engineer with Halliburton, Gulf and Chevron, riding helicopters to inspect offshore oil rigs - one of the first women in the field.

BB retired from engineering at age 65 and enjoyed her three grandchildren: Martin Clave Gill, married to Mary Katharine McCulloch; Kathleen Rutledge Gill, married to Willis Kyle Benefield; and Madeline Ruth Kujawski; and her step grandson Michael Hall Lorenzen, Jr., married to Janelle Krause. In her later years, BB was a loving great-grandmother to six boys: Wilson M. Gill, Miles S. Gill, Hoyer C. Benefield, Charles G. Benefield, Garrett T. Benefield and Graham H. Benefield; and to three step great-grandsons: Nathan J. Lorenzen, Eric M. Lorenzen and Adam P. Lorenzen.

Throughout her life Barbara was active in a number of organizations including Tri-Delta, the Orleans Club, Le Petit Salon, Spirit of ‘76 Chapter of DAR, National Society Magna Charta Dames and Barons, Colonial Dames and other groups. Barbara was a devoted parishioner at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where she enjoyed teaching bridge as a member of the Sharing Program. Perhaps her favorite volunteer role was with the National World War II Museum in New Orleans where she greeted visiting veterans and helped to honor them.

BB was loved by all who knew her and was renowned for the parties she hosted for her friends at Metairie Towers. She will be missed by many.

Burial in Metairie Cemetery will be private. A celebration of BB’s life will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 444 Metairie Road, Metairie, LA 70005. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am, with a memorial service at noon, followed by a reception for family and friends in St. Joseph Hall at the church. Funeral arrangements will be by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National World War II Museum, 925 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130, www.nationalww2museum.org/give; or the charity of your choice.

To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com