Babs Whitecotton

Babs Whitecotton

Cedar Rapids

After 97 great years—and one bad week—our beloved Babs left us on August 10, 2025.

Born Lavinia Ann Cady on Friday the 13th, 1928, in Chicago, she turned the number “13” into a family lucky charm. She met and married her high school sweetheart, Wayne Whitecotton, at North High in Des Moines, and together they raised four children, moved often, and collected dear friends and good stories along the way.

Babs was fiercely independent, endlessly stylish, and always the best company in the room. She loved books, Sunday matinees, antiques, Winters in Arizona and jazz (especially Frank Sinatra). She was known for her deviled eggs, chocolate cake, and her condo that doubled as a refuge, gossip hub, and cocktail lounge.

Babs is survived by her children- Sue Elvestad, Sally (Randy) Nazette, Sherri (Tom) Voss, Jeff (Nancy) Whitecotton, and a spirited group of grandchildren and great-grand kids—all proudly claiming to be her favorite.

At her request, no services will be held. Instead, please pour yourself a “cocktail on the veranda” and make a toast to the one and only Babs! She is already greatly missed.