Barbara Newsom Babin

Barbara "Tootsie" Babin, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on September 4, 2025, at the age of 90.

Barbara was born in Hoboken, NJ to the late Jessie and Barbara Petersen Newsom. She moved to Baton Rouge in 1938 with her parents and brother Charles "Sonny" Newsom (wife Phyllis/deceased) for her father to work on steam engines on ships navigating the Mississippi River. Following the move, their family was completed with brother Thomas Newsom (wife Cindy/deceased), and sister Kathleen Beigenzahn(Mark).

Barbara graduated from Istrouma High School in 1952, where she loved being in the choir and serving on the yearbook staff. That same year she married Joseph "Moon/Coach" T Babin, Jr who preceded her in death in 1995. Together, they raised 5 children: Joseph "Jody" T Babin, III (deceased) (wife Babs), Claire Babin, William "Billy" K Babin, Sharon Winter (Lewis), Jaime Babin.

Her nickname "Tootsie" was given to her by her grandfather, and it was with that name that she signed her prolific production of art (ceramics and oil paintings). When she was later blessed with grandchildren, it became her grandmother name and then was the only name she responded to the rest of her life.

She adored all of her grandchildren: Emily Babin, Brett Babin (Krysten), Jace Babin, Cory Babin, Catherine Sicard (Scott), Jade Babin (deceased), Jake Babin (Gaia), Jared Babin, and 7 great grandchildren.

Tootsie loved to cook. No one ever left her home hungry. She was the glue that held the family together, and even after all of her children had grown and left home she continued to host "family night" dinners every Wednesday for whomever could attend.

Visitation will be held at St George Catholic Church, 7808 St George Dr, Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, September 15, 2025, from 9:30AM until a Memorial Service at 10:30AM. Interment will follow immediately at St George Cemetary. Reception to follow at Kleinpeter Center on St George Campus.