Class of 1955
Hunter Ellis Babin passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 18, 2023 at the age of 90. He is survived by his beloved wife of eight years Mary Folse Hillery Babin. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years Catherine Chapman Babin. He was the father of Catherine (Kitsie) Babin Garland (Bobby) of Richmond, Virginia, and Laura Babin Charbonnet (Kenny) of Memphis, Tennessee. He is also survived by his step-children Mary Margaret (Mamie) Hillery and Julian (Jubi) Swoop Hillery, Jr. (Jeannie) of New Orleans, and Isabel Hillery McCluskey (George) of Columbus, Georgia. Other survivors include his five grandchildren Hunter Garland, Anne Garland, Adrian Charbonnet, Rainey Charbonnet and Sonny Charbonnet; ten step-grandchildren Franci, Hillery, Vivian, Julian III, Andrew, Kathleen (Beetles, Will, Milton, Drew, and Isabel; and five step-great grandchildren. Hunter is also survived by his sister-in-law Louise Chapman Hoffman. Hunter was born in New Orleans on March 18, 1932, the only child of Phoebe Isidora Ellis Babin and Duke Oliver Babin. He graduated from New Orleans Academy and Tulane University, where he was a member of the NROTC and Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He was also a graduate of the School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. After graduating from Tulane in 1955, he was commissioned as an officer in the Navy and went to flight training school in Pensacola, Florida. He became a naval aviator and served for several years as a carrier based anti-sub helicopter pilot. He then served as an officer at the Whitney Bank for 30 years. He was an honorary life member of the Boston Club, the Stratford Club, and the Southern Yacht Club and a member of several carnival organizations. He was a member of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church for 50 years.
The New Orleans Advocate – February 26, 2023