Category: News
Central Seminary Mourns the Death of Barbara “Babs” Baugh
The Central Seminary community was deeply saddened to learn of the death yesterday of Barbara “Babs” Nell Baugh after a long battle with Parkinson’s. Baugh, as head of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation, was a great friend to the seminary, as well as a great benefactor. Along with numerous significant gifts which have helped to sustain the seminary, a generous gift of $2 million from the foundation in 2009 funded the building of the Baugh-Marshall Chapel on Central’s Shawnee, Kansas, campus. Baugh and her family participated in the service of dedication for the chapel in April 2011.
Baugh’s parents, Eula Mae and John, formed the family’s foundation in 1995 in order to continue to support their philanthropic efforts, including helping to support the mission of progressive Baptist institutions of higher education, like Central, as well as sister institutions such as Baylor University, Truett Seminary, and Mercer University. They are well-known for their support for numerous Baptist organizations and causes. Central is grateful for the family’s support, which began in the early 2000s with Mr. and Mrs. Baugh and strengthened under the leadership of Babs and her daughters Jackie Baugh Moore and Julie Baugh Cloud, who recently served on Central’s board of trustees.
“We give thanks to God for the beautiful life of our friend, Babs Baugh, who brought joy, laughter, and grace into every room she entered,” said Central President Rev. Dr. Pamela R. Durso. “Her influence has been and will continue to be a beacon of goodness, a shining light in our world. Her kind generosity surely touched most every corner of our Baptist world, including Central Seminary, and she will be greatly missed by our Central community.” The Central community joins with President Durso, as well as with her many, many friends, in remembering and celebrating Babs and in praying for her husband John Jarrett, her daughters Jackie and Julie, and all of her family.