“We were all spoiled by her greatness”: Memories of Barbara “Babs” Baugh from the Baylor Line Family

“Her loving heart and wonderful sense of humor were truly a gift to us all.”

This is how Laura Hallmon (’96, JD ’99), President of the Baylor Line Foundation, will remember Barbara “Babs” Baugh, who was called Home in the early hours of Sunday, June 14.

“It is with a heavy heart that [we learned] Babs Baugh was called home to rest with our Heavenly Father in the early hours of [Sunday] morning,” Hallmon continued. “Babs has been a long-time supporter and friend of the Baylor Line Foundation/Baylor Alumni Association . . . . We are so thankful to have had the opportunity to honor her with the W.R. White Meritorious Service Award at our Hall of Fame banquet this past winter.”

Babs, a friend to so many throughout the Baylor Family, leaves behind a legacy of overwhelming generosity and abundant grace, which will better the lives of Baylor students for generations to come. Her character, commitment, and courage was known throughout the nation through her work at the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation. Established to continue the magnificent legacy of her parents, the Foundation is a voice and vehicle for so many higher education institutions and faith organizations. Babs’ lifelong work championed the values of compassion, inclusivity, and religious freedom.

“She was a tough minded force of nature and will be missed dearly by all who loved her.”
-Allen Holt (’80)

“We at the Baylor Line Foundation are truly mourning the loss of our dear friend, constant encourager, and esteemed benefactor, Babs Baugh,” said Allen Holt (‘80), Executive Vice President of the Baylor Line Foundation. “In the 160 year history of the Baylor Alumni Association and Baylor Line Foundation, very few, if any, have had the kind of impact that Babs had on our alumni family. Her fun loving nature was contagious and her wise counsel was always sought. She was a tough minded force of nature and will be missed dearly by all who loved her and benefitted from her kindness.”

After attending Baylor University for three years, Babs graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Music Education in 1965. She owned and operated a travel agency from 1971 to 2008, specializing in group travel. Her first relative to become a graduate of Baylor University was Ralph Tharp, her maternal grandfather, in 1917. Other family members followed – Jackie ‘86, Kim ‘81, Julie ‘89, Sterling ‘13, Jenni ‘13, Katie ‘15, Jake ‘18, and Alayna ‘18.

From 1985 to 2018, Babs directed the SonShine Singers, a 120-voice choir with a mission to reach nursing homes. Babs also directed a group of 10 singers and dancers in Made-to-Order. She also sang in the Woodland Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, where she has served as a deacon and past chair of the Church Council and the Missions Committee.

Babs was a founding member, past chairman and Lifetime Board Member of Baptist Child & Family Services. Kevin Dinnin claims she is the “matriarch of BCFS”. She was past president of the Baylor University Development Council and of the Baylor University Alumni Association. Babs has served on the boards of Visitors of Baylor University School of Music, the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, Coordinating Council of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, New Baptist Covenant Steering Committee, Baptist Center for Ethics, B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary, and trustee of Mercer University.

“We were all spoiled by her greatness.”
-Robert Feather (’50)

Robert Feather (‘50), former Vice President of Development at Baylor, and his wife Caroline (‘54) fondly remembered Babs as not only a supporter of Baylor but as an unfailing friend, advisor, and champion.

“Babs Baugh was greatly loved and appreciated. She was jovial, genuine, and generous,” the Feathers said. “Babs enjoyed having friends and family surrounding her. Yes, we were all spoiled by her greatness. She always sought to respond to opportunities that benefited others. People trusted Babs because she was so trustworthy. She gave her children and grandchildren a sense of hope for the future.”

Throughout her long life, Babs was honored with many awards, including: Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Central Baptist Theological Seminary; Dr. Herbert H. Reynolds, James Huckins, Pat Neff; Burleson, Cane, Brooks, McCall President’s Medal; San Antonio Business Journal Volunteer Leadership and Woman of the Year; and Mercer Meritorious Service in 2019. Most recently, she received the W.R. White Meritorious Service Award at the Baylor Line Foundation’s annual Hall of Fame Awards Banquet in February 2020.

Babs’ legacy lives on through her husband, John Jarrett; two daughters, Jackie Baugh Moore and Julie Baugh Cloud; as “Honey” to six grandchildren — Sterling, Katie, Jake, Breck, Alexa Mae, and Clara, and one great grandchild, Asher; and by the thousands of lives she touched in service to her Higher Calling.

“Babs encouraged us all to live life to the fullest and in the hope of God,” Robert and Caroline Feather continued. “Babs Baugh was a good samaritan. She knew what was important in life and never compromised. She was always gracious, willing to use her musical talents, and had a positive attitude and Christ-like spirit.

“Babs’ legacy will live on.”

We will miss Babs greatly and are so thankful for this legacy she leaves us. May we all be as selfless, giving, and humble as Barbara “Babs” Baugh.

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This page will be updated regularly as more memories of Babs reach us. We’d love to add your voice to the chorus of those remembering and honoring her life and legacy. To add your comments, reach out to editor@baylorline.com and we’ll be happy to place your words here. Also, feel free to leave a comment below.