JoElise Suzanne Fitzpatrick Babcock, age 90 years, of Jefferson City, MO, passed away Monday, November 9, 2020 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital due to complications from COVID-19.
JoElise was born on February 3, 1930 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the daughter of George and Opal (Kennedy) Fitzpatrick. She was married in 1953 to Donald Babcock who preceded her in death on September 12, 2010.
JoElise graduated high school in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After graduation, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science and Master degrees from the University of Missouri in Audiology and Speech Correction.
She was employed with Dr. Landon Gurnee for over 30 years as an audiologist. Prior to working with Dr. Gurnee, she was employed by Goshorn Handicap Center, known currently as the Special Learning Center, as a speech correctionist for over 10 years. She was also self-employed for several years as an audiologist in the central Missouri area.
She was a strong woman of faith and a longtime member of First Assembly of God. JoElise loved studying her Bible and sharing her insight at Sunday school. She was always concerned about others and spent many hours praying for family, friends, and our country.
She had a creative spirit and found pleasure in art and music. She was a very talented artist, who loved painting flowers and still life. She was fond of religious hymns and Southern Gospel music. Friends could find her listening and singing along to them. Some of her favorite instruments to play were the Autoharp and Dulcimer. She also encouraged and supported her children’s interest in music.
Her family will remember her laugh, known as her “cackle”, that could light up any room she was in. She loved being around family and some of their favorite memories were playing games as a family. When her health allowed, she could be found traveling with her husband Don. Some of their favorite trips were to Mexico, Nevada and Atlantic City and as her children were growing up, the family did a lot of camping through all of the United States and Canada. She cherished time supporting her family and assisted as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader when her daughter and grandchildren were involved with Girl Scouts. Growing up, she had the opportunity to meet the real “Smokey the Bear” after Smokey was pulled from the wildfire.
Survivors include: her daughter, Pam Rippstein (husband Warren Glen) of Jefferson City, MO; three grandchildren, Amber Rippstein of Jefferson City, MO, Joshua Rippstein (wife Desma Hoyle) of Chicago, Il. and Victoria Stringer (husband Jason) of Jefferson City, MO; two great-grandchildren, Zoë and Carsen Rippstein, both of Columbia, MO.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Opal; her step-mother, Mildred Fitzpatrick; her loving husband of 57 years, Don; one son, Richard Babcock; and one grandson, Kaleb Rippstein.
Due to the pandemic, a visitation will not be held.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 14, 2020 at First Assembly of God with the Reverend Lowell Perkins officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens.
A webcast of her service will be available to view at 2:00 p.m. Monday for friends that are not able to attend, by going to First Assembly of God’s website, www.firstassembly.org, and click the “watch live” link.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First Assembly of God, 1900 State Hwy C, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to her family.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.