Mary E. "Becky" Babb

Mary E. “Becky” Babb, age 101, of Brookfield, MO passed away peacefully Monday, May 20, 2024, at Pioneer Skilled Nursing Center in Marceline, MO with her daughters by her side. Becky was born in Milo, IA; on August 18, 1922, the last of four children to Clarence E. and Clara O. (Frank) Knouse. She was raised in Des Moines, IA. Becky graduated from Lincoln High School in 1940. She worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company before joining the US Navy. She spent 2 years in the US Navy as a storekeeper. She married Burleigh Forseman while serving in the US Navy and had a daughter Linda Forseman Reeter. Then she married Harold E. Babb in 1949, moved to Brookfield, MO, and had two more girls, Trudy Babb Carpenter and Nancy Babb Collier-Green. Harold preceded her in death on January 1, 1989. Becky helped her husband with their business, “Babb Service” for many years until their retirement. She also worked as a head bookkeeper for 10 years at Ben Franklin in Brookfield, MO. She sold cosmetics for Avon, Luziers, and Mary-Kay, as well as Tupperware and Home Interiors. Becky was a member of Park Baptist Church, First Christian Church, Kiwanis, Eastern Star, Pershing Hospital Auxiliary, and the American Cancer Society. Becky was very active in the community. She was a Welcome Wagon hostess, co-leader for the Girl Scouts, leader for the Brownie Scouts, tour guide for Leisure Time Tours, Stitch and Chat club, and the Bunco Club. At church she was on the kitchen committee, senior choir, Piecemaker, head of the birthday club, COPE program, on the prayer chain, current Missions, and taught Sunday school to the 7th grade boys. Becky is survived by her daughters, Linda Reeter of Brookfield, MO; Trudy Carpenter of Kansas City, MO; and Nancy Collier-Green of Farmington, MO; seven grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, two great great-grandchildren, and several other nieces, nephews, and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters, and one brother. Funeral Service will be held Friday, May 24, 2024, at 1:00 pm. at the First Christian Church in Brookfield, MO, with Pastor John Wiggans officiating, with Military Honors provided by the Brookfield VFW Post#4557 to follow the funeral service. A private family burial will be at a later time. Visitation will be held Friday, May 24, 2024, from 12:00 pm. until the service at 1:00 pm. at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO. Memorials may be made to Brookfield VFW Post # 4557 and can be left at or mailed to Rhodes Funeral Home, 216 Linn Street, Brookfield, MO. 64628. Online condolences can be made at www.rhodesfh.com

Mary E. "Becky" Babb

August 18, 1922 - May 20, 2024