Ruth Babbs

Ruth Cochran Middleton Babbs, 91, of Stanford, left this earth on Oct 7, 2025, to live eternally with our heavenly father and dearly departed relatives and friends. Ruth was born Oct 14, 1933, to Albert and Ruth Gant Cochran. She married George Middleton of Cave City, Kentucky on Sept 14, 1952.  Ruth and George had four children. George passed in Oct. 1979.

Ruth married Robert Babbs of Stanford on Sept 3, 1971. He passed away on October 28, 2013, allowing them 43 years of marriage.

Survivors include two children: Robert and Nancy Middleton, both of Stanford; one granddaughter, Miranda Knops of Normal; and her special buddy, 10-year-old great grandson Kyree Gulley of Normal; one grandson David (Melissa) Knops Jr; four great-grandchildren Davina, Matthew, Darian, Alex; and one great-great-grandson William; also surviving is her sister, Bonnie (Ralph) Denham of Minier; sister-in-law, Sharyn Cochran of Pekin; three bonus children Jimmy, Karla, and Tricia. Along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Preceding her in death were two sons, George and Larry Middleton; sister and brother-in-law, Darlene (Gene) Schultz of Minier; brother, Albert Cochran of Pekin; half-brother, Bob Dubach; and two half-sisters; Alberta and Ladine.

Ruth's greatest joy in life was giving and helping others. She found her deep faith in God at a very early age while attending Minier Christian Church. That church has always remained very dear to her heart. After moving to Stanford, she attended Stanford Church of God.

She attended all 12 years of school in Minier. During her working years, she worked at McReynolds Funeral Home; Gates Radio (Engineering Dept); K Mart (advertising manager); and retiring as a Sgt with Mclean County Sheriff's Dept. (Corrections Div). She greatly enjoyed getting letters from former inmates thanking her for helping to get them on "the right path again." Her lifelong motto (taught from her mother) was "There is good in the worst of us; and bad in the best of us." She never saw a person she didn't like. Ruth enjoyed many crafts and hobbies, especially silk flower arranging. She enjoyed giving her arrangements to others. She also enjoyed reading and spending time with family and friends. Family was always of utmost importance to her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A graveside service will be at Brooks Grove Cemetery on Monday, Oct 13, 2025, at 1:00pm. Josh Gibson and Loren Miller will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to Stanford Church on God or to the Stanford Rescue Squad.

Thank you to OSF Hospice. A special THANK YOU to Karla Middleton and family, Connie Kerrick, and Mary Downey for helping in her care as well as many others! Thank you to all family and friends for the kind visits!

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