Corrie Babington Corkern Fowler "Babs" passed away November 11, 2023 in Brookhaven, Mississippi, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Babs was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 18, 1941 and grew up in Franklinton, Louisiana. She attended Louisiana State University where, in 1959, she met her soon-to-be husband, midwestern transplant, Jim Fowler. They married the following year.
Babs lived in many states across the nation as she moved according to the requirements of Jim's career. Together, they raised a tight-knit family of 4 children. In the midst of the moves and the demands of raising a large family, Babs successfully completed a degree in history (Magna Cum Laude) from Metropolitan State University of Denver. As the kids grew older and more independent, Babs was able to fulfill her dream of teaching history at the high school level.
Babs and Jim retired to Franklinton in 1996 where she was an active Bridge player and volunteer at the Varnado Store Museum and Washington Parish Free Fair. She and Jim later moved to Brookhaven to be closer to family.
Babs was a true free spirit. A voracious reader, Babs was an avid admirer of the philosophy of Ayn Rand. As such, she was an ardent supporter of freedom and objectivism. A central tenet of objectivism, as quoted from Ayn Rand is, "the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute." Babs lived her life accordingly and never shied away from a spirited political or social debate in support of her beliefs.
Her true love, however, was her family. While exceedingly proud of the 4 successful children she raised, the true lights of her life were her 6 grandchildren. Nothing was more important to her than the time she was able to spend with them. They were her pride and joy.
Babs was preceded in death by her mother and father, James V. and Corrie Babington Corkern and, most notably, her youngest son Mark Fowler.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jim Fowler; sons Kevin (Valerie) Fowler and Jeff (Cathy) Fowler; a daughter, Karen (Michael) Redd; 6 grandchildren, Kendall Fowler, Kristen (Dominic) Fontenot, Cate Fowler, Corbett Fowler, Claire Redd, and Julliette Redd, two sisters, Sandy Guillot, Judy (Bob) Jensen, and one brother, Jim (Jan) Corkern.
Her presence will be hugely missed in the coming month. Her Thanksgiving meals were second to none and with Christmas being her favorite holiday, she would excel at making it a special time for her family.
A private family Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Franklinton, Louisiana. Memorials may be made in her name to The American Cancer Society.
