Little Rock- Eleanor Joan Babbitt, 79, widow of Wayne H. Babbitt, died in her home on Friday, April 29, 2005. A private, nurturing person with a deep personal regard for nature, she was a devoted mother and grandmother whose granddaughter called her "precious angel from heaven." Eleanor held her loving family, home, friends, and her beloved dogs in highest esteem. Eleanor was an accomplished gardener, and dedicated in the service to her church, St. Luke's Episcopal, particularly as a member of the alter guild. She also served as a Board of Directors member of Bush Caldwell Inc. and National Custom Hollow Metal Inc.

Eleanor was born in Omaha, Nebraska on March 1, 1926, the daughter of Emil J. and Ann Timmerman. She met her husband at Merritt Beach, Omaha, and they married in 1946. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, in 1994, and her parents.

She survived by her children Mark Randall Babbitt of little Rock; Holly Babbitt Longtin and husband Joey of Hot Springs; Maureen Babbitt Watson and husband Gary of Hot Springs; two grandchildren Brittney Babbitt Mullins of Fayetteville; and Neely Babbitt Gehring and husband Paul, and great-grandchild Chloe Ann Gehring, of Little Rock. Other survivors include Naasson and Ellen, and Bill and Sally Babbitt of Arizona, and Nebraska, respectively.

Memorial services will be held Monday, May 2, 2005 at 11 am at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Little Rock, followed by interment at Rest Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2-4 pm Sunday, May 1, 2005 at # 2 Blue Ridge Circle in Little Rock, and requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Arkansas Hospice, 5600 West 12th Street, Little Rock, AR 72204, or ACRC Cancer Research, 4301 W. Markham, Slot 623, Little Rock, AR 72205. An online guest book may be signed by visiting www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens Roller-Owens Funeral Home 791-7400