Frances (“Frankie”) Jean Babcock passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026 in Arlington, Texas with her family present. Frankie was born in a coal mining camp in Beardsfork, West Virginia. Frankie’s father, Jerry McMillion, was a coal miner and bootlegger. 

In 1955 Frankie moved to White’s City, New Mexico and started waitressing at The Red Chimney in Carlsbad. At that time, her future husband, Richard "Dick" Babcock, played minor league baseball and was housed in a boarding house about 4 blocks from The Red Chimney. He told the story that he walked into the Red Chimney and that was the first time he saw her. He said “she was just about the best looking thing I had ever seen.” The rest is history. 

Frankie was a homemaker. She had a feisty personality. She loved country music and country dancing. Frankie lived an amazing 89 years and often said how blessed she was to still be living independently at her age. 

Frankie was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Owen Babcock, who passed on October 19, 2007. Frankie is survived by daughter Bonnie Kettler (Dale) and daughter Peggy Miller (Bill). She is survived by five grandchildren, Ryan Kettler (Jessica), Andrew Nienhuser (Brandi), Matthew Kettler (Kelly), Jocelyn Wieser (Eric), Madalyn Nienhuser. She is also survived by great grandchildren, Kaylin, Madyson, Ashlynn, Bryson, Bailey, Gracynn, Addison, and Dylann. Special nephew, Jerry Asbury. 

At Frankie’s request, there will be only a simple graveside prayer at Arlington Cemetery, 801 S. Mary St., Arlington, TX 76010 at 9:30 a.m. on January 15, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Everytime she saw an ad for St. Jude's she would say, "Bless their little hearts".