RUFFIN: Mrs. Martha Babb Steedly, wife of the late Robert M. Steedly, passed away Thursday evening at her residence. She was 85.

Mrs. Steedly was born October 8, 1930, a daughter of the late Thedie Lee Babb and Nell Smyly Babb. She was a homemaker, and was a member of the St. John United Methodist Church in Ruffin where she was active in the United Methodist Women. She was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family.

She is survived by a daughter, Elaine S. Crosby (Franklin) of Ruffin, and by a sister, Percille Strickland of Ruffin. There are three grandchildren: Amanda V. Langdale (Lance), Thomas I. Howard Jr. (Courtney Bishop), and Robert D. Howard. She leaves behind three great grandchildren: William M. Langdale, Erin V. Langdale, and Lennon B. Howard. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Mrs. Steedly was preceded in death by a daughter, Marsha S. Howard, and by two brothers, Thedie Babb, Jr. and Charles S. Babb.

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to her devoted caregivers, JoAnn Davis, and Brittany Melton, and to Hospice Care of SC and the nurses Melody Craven and Robin Varn.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday in the chapel of Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, with burial following in the Smyly Cemetery in Ruffin. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the St. John UMC, c/o Cherry Smyly, 987 Smyly Rd., Ruffin, SC 29475, or to the Smyly Cemetery Fund-Kathy Babb, c/o First Federal of SC, P. O. Box 1367, Walterboro, SC 29488