Frances Babcock
March 15, 1924 – Sept. 4, 2021
Frances Naomi Babcock, 97, of Sweet Home, died on the morning of Sept. 4, 2021, in Lebanon.
She was born March 15, 1924 in Masontown, Pa., to Edmund and Ruth (Lee) Durr.
Growing up during the Great Depression, she learned to work hard at a very young age, but retained a cheerful, hopeful disposition her entire life.
She left home at 14, working as a housekeeper and later at a U.S. Rubber factory in Detroit during the war. She then went to California and worked at a five-and-dime store and a diner where she met Guy Babcock.
He was the light of her life – she knew she’d marry him the first time she saw him come into the diner to eat. Three months later, they married on March 9, 1944.
After marrying, the Babcocks moved to Oregon and had two children, Randy in 1946 and Lee Ann in 1951. They operated a fuel station in Jefferson, a cut-stock mill near Lebanon, and eventually settled on a farm in Pleasant Valley near Sweet Home.
They raised livestock, cannery crops, and ran the Babcock Bean Field while Mr. Babcock was a truck driver. Mrs. Babcock also owned the Gateway Cafe and later became a baker at Sweet Home High School. She retired from the school district as a laundry operator in 1991.
Mrs. Babcock’s greatest enjoyments in life were her grandkids and her dogs. Many were comforted by her sweet and gentle touch; she cared for her family in a way that will unlikely ever be matched. She cooked countless meals for those she loved, and enjoyed the company of family, friends and neighbors.
She was involved with the Home Extension club for years, and enjoyed baking (gingersnaps were her specialty), reading, and doing crossword puzzles (in ink).
The matriarch of her family, she is survived by her brother, David Durr; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and daughter-in-law Sherryl. Her little dog Gracie is also worth mentioning.
Mrs. Babock was preceded in death by her parents; husband Guy in 1989; son Randy in 2014; daughter Lee Ann John in 2020; son-in-law Duane John in 2000; brothers Lee Durr in 2009 and Clayton Durr in 2020; sisters Jane Torrance in 2009 and Ruth Cook in 2021; and a grandson, Mark Alan Guy Babcock, in 1964, a loss she never quite got over.
Those near Mrs. Babcock were blessed with her sharp mind and gracious heart. She was encouraging and courageous in any circumstance or hardship, and will be greatly missed.
Viewing will be at noon Friday, Sept. 17, at River of Life Fellowship. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. Final burial will be at Lewis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SafeHaven Humane Society in Tangent.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Brian Hoover
Oct. 2, 1984 – Sept. 3, 2021
Brian William Hoover, 36, of Sweet Home, died Sept. 3, 2021 in an automobile accident in Alturas, Calif.
He was born Oct. 2, 1984 in Albany, to Tina Holt and Shawn Hoover. He graduated from Scio High School.
Mr. Hoover was a member of the Pit River Tribe of Northern California. He loved tribal traditions and “Creator.” He loved fishing, hunting, and was a social butterfly who thought it was hilarious that he sounded exactly like his mother when the family laughed.
His life revolved around his brothers, Ernie and Eric, and his little sister Loa. He idolized his Uncle “Hootie.”
Mr. Hoover is survived by his mother, Tina Holt; his grandmother, Loa Pugh; his brothers Ernie and Eric; sister Loa Bratton; and his uncle Hootie.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at a later date at Shotgun Creek Park.
Donations to help cover the costs of transporting him from California are welcome.