Corene Jean "Corky" Babbitt

January 28, 1935 — September 23, 2014

Corene Jean "Corky" Babbitt, age 79, of Battle Creek went to be with her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday afternoon, September 23, 2014. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on January 28, 1935, the loving daughter of Carl Thomas and Cleone Ruth (Cox) Hull. Corky attended South Burdick Grade School and Vine St. Junior High in Kalamazoo. She worked for Shakespeare Manufacturing, T.B. Sanitarium, Ken & Tom's Restaurant, Gates Manufacturing, and Sir Pizza.

Corky married Victor Anthony Valente in Angola, Indiana on December 5, 1950, ending in divorce after two children were born. She then married Bernard Edward Babbitt in Battle Creek on October 4, 1958; he sadly preceded her in death on August 30, 2008. Corky is survived by her sons, Joseph Anthony Valente of Nevada, John James Valente of New Jersey, Charles Edward (Rebecca) Babbitt of Battle Creek, and Robert Eugene (Kim) Babbitt of Texas; her daughters, Cynthia Ann Colby of Battle Creek and Deborah Joan Simpson of Arizona; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; brothers, Cleve Darrell (Carolyn) Hull of Illinois, Clyffe Carroll (Doris Katherine) Hull of Scotts, and several nieces & nephews. She was also preceded in death by her son, Scott Thomas Babbitt; a grandson, Joseph Lee Burdette; her parents, and her sister, Carlyn Cleone Grimmer.

Corky was a member of the Emmett Street Missionary Church. She enjoyed ceramic painting, sewing, counted cross stitching, traveling, bowling, and bingo, but her true love & passion in life was spending time with her family.

The family will receive friends 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday, September 26, 2014 at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home where funeral services to celebrate Corky's life will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 27, 2014. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider making donations to the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Corky may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.