Farrar Jeanne Babcock Cottingham died on December 21, 2015, at her home at Oxton Place in Douglas, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William Thomas Cottingham Jr. of Douglas, her brother, Dr. Sidney H. Babcock III of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and her sister, Mrs. Charlotte B. Vieaux of Houston, Texas.
Farrar is survived by her six children Rev. Bill (and Jana Nichols) Cottingham of Wilmington, North Carolina, Sid (and Sally Cockrill) Cottingham of Douglas, Georgia, Virginia Cottingham of Boulder, Colorado, Dan (and Linda Crocker) Cottingham of Charlotte, North Carolina, Jim (and Elizabeth Stanick) Cottingham of Douglas, Georgia, Frances Cottingham (and Philip) Kelly of Boulder, Colorado, 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, her brother-in-law Robert C. Stuart of Blacksburg, Virginia, and several nieces and nephews.
The daughter of Sidney Henry and Idamay Kelsey Babcock, Farrar was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, on October 9, 1918, while her father was serving as a U. S. Army Chaplain at Camp Jeanne in France during the closing days of World War I. When he received word of her birth, he penned a Christmas Day letter that she would cherish throughout her life. The touching communication opens with greetings to “Our Precious Baby Farrar, Whom having not seen I love.” Dr. Babcock was a Methodist minister who later served as vice president of Oklahoma City University. Mrs. Babcock was a musician and homemaker. As a ministerial family, they made their homes in the Oklahoma towns of Holdenville, Oklahoma City, Lawton, Altus, McAlister, and Elk City.
Even with numerous relocations Farrar’s high school years were marked by academic honors, conference titles in tennis, and key student council leadership roles. Farrar graduated from Duke University in 1940, where she would later serve as director of religious activities. While there she was inducted into the Order of the White Duchy. She received a master’s degree in Christian Education from Columbia University’s Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, and then served with the American Red Cross in Australia and the Philippines during World War II. In 1946 she married Tom Cottingham. They made their home in Douglas for the next twenty years, and here she taught at Coffee County High School, Ambrose Elementary, and South Georgia College. She was an active member of the Douglas First United Methodist Church and was extensively involved in civic and community affairs. Her leadership role in the League of Women Voters and her other contributions were reflected in her being named Woman of the Year in 1951.
In 1966 Farrar, Tom, and their six children moved to North Carolina where she held various counseling and teaching positions including work at Belmont Abbey College, Hallsboro High School, and Watauga High School. In addition to their professional lives they were actively involved with the arts, community service, and the Boone United Methodist Church. Following retirement Farrar and Tom continued to live in Boone, North Carolina, until returning to Douglas in 2010.
In early December 2015 Farrar was honored by Douglas’s Mayor and City Commission for enriching the lives of others through her work with churches, schools, and civic development. Expressing “heartfelt appreciation and respect for her remarkable leadership and example for so many,” the Farrar Cottingham Day Proclamation asserted that “this community is a better place because she is part of us and because of her warm and selfless concern for others.”
A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Sunday, January 10, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church of Douglas. Visitation will follow the service.
Sims Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.