She died Dec. 28, 2006, at the United Methodist Health Care Center.
She was born Aug. 31, 1930, in Olustee, the daughter of Buff and Reba Burtis.
She graduated in 1948 from Clinton High School. She was married to Ronald E. Babione from 1948 to 1983. They lived in Boulder and Denver, Colo., Clinton, Hereford, Texas, and Altus. In Hereford she did office work for produce growers and shippers and wrote a feature column for a weekly newspaper “The Hereford Brand,” and helped write and edit the 1958 Texas Edition, Men of Achievement.
In Oklahoma she spent 17 years as an administrative assistant and director of social services in nursing homes at Altus and Mangum.
Returning to Clinton in 1984, she worked with her mother at the Burtis Press and Office Supplies, the business organized in 1938 by her parents.
In 1986 she married Darrell L. Coit and between them they had 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Watching them grow and having them visit the farm was her greatest joy.
Always busy in church and civic activities, she was a member of Chapter BR of PEO (a philanthropic educational organization which provides financial assistance to women), served as President of Chapter CM of PEO, was Regent of the Washita Chapter of DAR, and chairperson of the Committee for the 100th anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church in Clinton. She sang in the choirs and served as Elder and Deacon in her churches in Hereford, Altus and Clinton. She was active in the Family and Community Education Association and the Custer County Republican Women. As a “people-person” she especially enjoyed her work for the Custer Senior Citizens Center and the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Russell Babione; and granddaughter, Melissa Shepherd.
She is survived by husband Darrell of the home; daughter, Charlotte (Babione) Lovett of Norman; son, Ronny Babione and wife Susan of Altus; son, Bruce Babione and wife Debbie of Iraq and Hobart respectively; step-son Stephen Coit and wife D'Etta of Yukon; step-son, Richard Coit of Custer City; step-daughter, Nancy Shepherd and husband David of Butler; grandchildren, R. C. Babione and wife Bridget of Montgomery, Texas, Molly (Babione) Rambur and husband Jimmy of San Antonio, Texas, Lindsay (Babione) Pickle and husband Preston of Fort Riley, Kan., Matthew Babione of Lawton, James Lovett of Norman, Richard Lyle Coit of Clinton, Megan and McKensey Coit of Clinton, Keelan Coit of Custer City, Brandon Shepherd and wife Carol of Yukon, Robert Shepherd and wife Chanda of Butler, Nathan Shepherd and wife Reesa of New Braunsfel, Texas, Cameron, Patrick and Erica Shepherd of Yukon; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Jane (Burtis) Smith and husband Don of North Palm Beach, Fla.; brother, Dr. Buff Burtis and wife Sandra of Anchorage, Alaska; mother-in-law, Erma Smith of Clinton; sister-in-law, Naomi Davenport of Denton,Texas; aunt, Georgia Crow of Denton; many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 264, Clinton, OK 73601.
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