Blanche E. "Babe" Baptiste, 82, of Fenelton died at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Chicora Medical Center following an illness.

Born in Cabot, March 15, 1926, she was the daughter of Clarence and Buelah Savich George.

During World War II, she worked at Pullman Standard making ammunition. She then worked at the Moonlight Mushroom Mine for several years.

She was a member of the Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, Chicora, and the Altar-Rosary Society of the church.

She is survived by four sons, Ray Baptiste and his wife, Marylee, of Karns City, Terry Baptiste and his wife, Joanne, of Fenelton, Russ Baptiste and his wife, Debbie, of Kittanning and Marty Baptiste and his wife, Marlene, of Fenelton; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bea Cypher of Cabot and Bernadette Geibel of Carbon Center; and a brother, Clarence "Cork" George of Florida.

She married Raymond C. Baptiste May 11, 1946, and he died Jan. 12, 1996. She also was preceded in death by four sisters, Marcella George, Ella McGee Mekis, Isabelle Bulford and Joyce Vidas; and a brother, Bert George.

<B>BAPTISTE</B> — Friends of Blanche E. "Babe" Baptiste, who died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the <B>STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME</B>, 111 E. Slippery Rock St., Chicora. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, 409 N. Main St., Chicora, with the Rev. DePaul Ripko, O.F.M. Cap., officiating. Burial will be at the St. John Cemetery, Coylesville.