Wilma Taylor Smith Babcock

Wilma Taylor Smith Babcock, 90 years old, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at home in Phoenix. She was born in Phoenix on January 27, 1923, the youngest of five children of the late William Taylor Smith and Elizabeth Miles Kendall Smith. Her husband of 74 years, Ross Eugene Babcock, predeceased her last year. She is survived by her five children: Carol Ann Babcock Jensen Scoffin, of Encinitas, CA, and Tucson; Clara Louise Babcock Davis Cawthorne of Sandy, Utah; Ross Eugene Babcock, Jr. of Phoenix; Wilma Jean Babcock Breutzman of Grand Haven, MI; and Karen Sue Babcock McDougall of Waxhaw, NC. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Wilma recently celebrated her 90th birthday at the house where she grew up on East Palm Lane. The building is now used by The Wellness Center, a cancer support group, and they were excited about the party being at this historic house.

Wilma attended Emerson Elementary School, Phoenix Union High School and Phoenix College. She grew up attending Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and later attended St. Andrews Episcopal Church with her own family, then transferred to Church of the Epiphany Anglican Church. Wilma ran for the Arizona State Legislature against Bob Stump in 1964.

When Wilma Smith Babcock was a child in Phoenix, her parents had the first radio broadcasting station in Arizona and the first private constructed swimming pool, both built by her father, William Taylor Smith. Her great-grandfather built and owned the first railroad into Phoenix, the Phoenix and Maricopa Railroad. Wilma was always told she was the first baby born in the “new” Good Samaritan Hospital (Deaconess Hospital at that time). She had photograph albums of Phoenix from when her parents first came here in 1914 from San Diego, California, through 1975. These will be given to the Arizona Historical Society, at Wilma’s request.

She and her husband together built houses, apartments, Palo Verde Centre I shopping center, and Palo Verde Animal Hospital in Phoenix, and they were landlords to all of those properties. They also built a family cabin in Lakeside, AZ. Early on, they developed Kid Stuff brand wooden toys and accessories.

Wilma was active for many years in Camelback Lioness Club, until her passing. They awarded her one of the highest awards that can be given to a Lion, the Lions International Foundation award of Melvin Jones Fellow for Dedicated Humanitarian Services.

Wilma was treasured by her family as a dedicated wife and mother and great teacher. Interment is with her late husband at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona with a family graveside service. A Memorial Celebration Service for friends and family will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Church of the Epiphany at 8433 N. 12th Street, Phoenix, Arizona. Pall bearers are Ross E. Babcock, Jr., J.M. Scoffin, Hugh Cawthorne, Mark Breutzman, Sr., Charles E. McDougall, and Carmine Michael Salvatore. Memorial contributions can be made to the Church of the Epiphany Building Fund (address above) or the Lions Club Sight and Hearing Foundation at 3427 North 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018, 602-954-1723.