Foy Babson Lewis

Foy Babson Lewis, 93, passed away on February 29, 2020, at Harbor’s Edge Senior Living Community, Norfolk, VA. Foy was born on March 25, 1926 in Chadbourn, NC to the late James and Leola Babson. The Babson’s were early descendants from England who settled in Gloucester, MA and later in Boardman, NC. They represent the greatest concentration of Babson’s anywhere in the world according to the Babson Historical Association. Foy was one of six children, and she was the longest surviving child of James and Leola. Foy grew up on a tobacco farm and rolled tobacco to assist her parents.

Foy’s name is French meaning Faith. She professed her faith in Christ in early childhood and rededicated her faith to Christ’s mission later in life. Foy served as Sunday school teacher and church treasurer at First Baptist and at Riverside Baptist Church, Norfolk. She was a member of the Young at Heart, member of the Senior Adult Choir, and greeter at First Baptist; and a volunteer with Meals on Wheels.

Foy graduated from Hallsboro High School, NC and later attended Strayer Business College. She was industrious and had a vision for her life. After high school graduation at age 17, she traveled by train with two girlfriends to Washington, DC, where she rented an apartment and was hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a clerk working for $.58 per hour. During World War II, Foy was a Calutron Girl, Oak Ridge, TN during 1942-1945, where she worked on the top-secret Manhattan Project. She helped process Uranium 235, used to produce the atomic bomb but was not told until the end of the war. She was featured in two books as contributing to the war effort.

Foy was an independent and proper Southern Lady, who was a career woman ahead of her time. After leaving Oak Ridge, she returned to North Carolina where she worked for the Veteran's Administration in Fayetteville. She created a 30+year career supplying and coordinating materials to ships in the Navy. She worked at the Norfolk and Oceana Naval Air Station; Commander Naval Aviation Atlantic, Norfolk; Training Support Center Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach; the Comptroller Department at the Naval Operating Station, Adak, Alaska and the Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth.

She met Lawrence D. Lewis in Chadbourn and continued their relationship while he served in World War II. After he returned, they married and moved to Norfolk, VA, where they started their family and new life for 50 years until his death in August 1996.

Foy will be remembered for her zest for life, smile, strength, laugh, compassion and her keen sense of fashion. She loved reading her Bible, music, dancing, shopping, boating, water skiing, and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay and tent camping with the family. At age 60, she went snow skiing for the first time. At age 81, she went parasailing 1,200 ft. above the Atlantic Ocean. At age 90 she wanted to ride a hot-air balloon but couldn’t find the time in her busy schedule.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her daughters, Bobbie Huskey and her husband Roy Wiley; Joanne Culpeper and her husband Larry Culpeper; granddaughter Elyce M. Capriani and her husband Joshua Capriani; great grandson Mason Capriani; grandson Bryce N. Culpeper; nephew Jimmy Babson, nieces Bonnie and Connie Babson, nieces Diane, Pam and nephew Wayne Lewis; and nieces Emily, Kathy and Debbie Wicklow.

Due to government restrictions and concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus, Interment services will be live-streamed on Facebook Live. Persons not able to view the service live can access a recording of the service on the Facebook page of the Woodlawn Funeral Home & Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Contact 757-455-2838 if you have questions about how to access their site.

Condolences to the family can be made at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com or to Bobbie Huskey, 60 East Monroe Street, #5401, Chicago, IL 60603 and to Joanne Culpeper, 9819 Fendale Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. Friends and family are welcome to donate to the American Stroke Association, 6505 Metcalf Avenue, Suite 214, Overland Park, KS 66202 or the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 in her memory.

One of Foy’s favorite Scriptures:

“My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again.” 2 Timothy: 4:6-8