Gretchen Joyce Babineau

Gretchen Joyce Babineau, age 86, of Paradise, California, departed this life on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, surrounded by her loved ones in Henderson, Nevada. She was born on July 12, 1925, in Michigan, the daughter of Arthur Oscar Johnson and Grace Emma Rudland Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Jeffrey "Midget" Smith; one grandson, Jesse Turner; one great-granddaughter, Courtney Jackson; and three brothers, Dallas Johnson, Whitey Johnson and Robert Johnson. She was retired from Pikes Restaurant after twenty years of service and was known to many as mom and Grandma Gretchen because of her shoulder to cry on, ear to bend and words of wisdom. She enjoyed traveling, especially cruising. An avid knitter, every scarf signified that "her arms were around you". Survivors include four daughters and their spouses, Carolyn Piper (Harry) of Gladwin, Michigan, Brenda Reiter, of Paradise, California, Kristin Turner of Henderson, Nevada and Lisa Longet (Jon) of Redmond, Washington; her daughter-in-law, Mary Lou Drummy of San Clemente, California; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Carol Wyllys (Floyd), Sue McWilliams (Mike) and Mary Johnson; two brothers, Doug Johnson (Sue) and Marshall Johnson; a sister-in-law, Sue Johnson; and a host of nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, March 11, 2012, in the Pleasant Grove Freewill Baptist Church with Bro. Kenny Fant officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday evening, 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood. Pallbearers will be George Gardner, Timothy Weaver, John Reiter, Jimmy Ray Turner, Damien Julian and Jon Ross. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.