LaVerne A. (Babe) Hulsey

God granted LaVerne A. (Babe) Hulsey a long, happy life and then brought her home on September 30, 2021, just as the sunrise brightened the sky over Cape Girardeau, MO. She was born August 18, 1923 in DeLassus, MO, to the late Albert and Ethyl (Hill) Wiley-the third daughter of what would be a family of nine children. Siblings immediately nicknamed her "Babe" and the name stuck. She once remarked, "I'm over 90 years old and still a Babe." Her five sisters and three brothers grew up together and became a close-knit clan creating a life-long bond of love and companionship. As time passed, nieces and nephews arrived to make the family circle larger and more fun. She grieved every family member and spouse that passed before her...Nellie Wiley, Erma and Tillman Gallagher, Pete Wiley, Homer and Doris Wiley, Donald and Melba Wiley, Bill Govro, John Buchanan and Steve Wiley. Surviving sisters are Barbara Govro, Marilyn Wiley and Jetty (Lloyd) Reese and sister-in-law Mildred Wiley. She was happy growing up in Farmington and lived there most of her life. After graduation from Farmington High School in 1942, Babe worked at Capital Rice Stick Shirt Factory. On a blazing hot evening in July of 1951, she married Willis E. Hulsey at the Murphy-Long Methodist Church in Farmington. They were inseparable for over 46 years until Willis's death in 1998. As a member of the Hulsey family, Babe enjoyed the love and friendship of her parents-in-law Floyd and Elizabeth Hulsey, as well as Willis's siblings Alvin and Mary Hulsey, Helen (Susie) and Clyde Noltkamper, Floyd Jr. and Grace Hulsey, Cecil and Jean Hulsey, Mackie and Don Price, Earl Hulsey and Barbara (Milton Fitz) and Jim Merseal. Barbara Merseal and Jean Hulsey, as well as many nieces and nephews, survive. She and Willis raised three children, Teresa (Dan) Wilson of Cape Girardeau, Dr. Richard (Cheryl) Hulsey of St. Louis, MO and Dave (Robert Young) Hulsey of Indianapolis, IN. They encouraged their children to always love and care for one another and provided unconditional love to their spouses. The old adage "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" was Babe's mantra and she never allowed her children out in the world without combed hair, clean clothes and polished shoes. The kids have tried to emulate their mother's knack for a tidy home, but have never realized her level of expertise. When facing an empty nest, she decided to return to work and became a dental assistant in the offices of Dr. Jerry Rhodes and Dr. David Johnson. After retirement, Babe and Willis traveled extensively, remained active at Memorial United Methodist Church and volunteered at Parkland Hospital. They also delighted in their grandchildren and spouses-- Andrea (Wilson) and Stuart Greaser of Cape Girardeau, MO, Ryan and Angie Hulsey of Columbia MO and Grant Hulsey of Denver CO, Marissa and Jason Riley of St. Louis, MO and Jacob Thole of St. Louis. One of the highlights of her life was the arrival of great grandchildren Riley, Emma and Colin Greaser as well as Easton, Sienna and Della Riley. She always looked forward to seeing them and kept them in her prayers. After becoming a widow, Babe lived independently until a fall in 2019 required her to move to the Lutheran Home Assisted Living facility in Cape Girardeau. She faced her advancing years with dignity and determination, making friends of residents and staff alike. The Covid pandemic forced her to spend over one year in quarantine, but she made the best of it and never complained. We invite you to join us to celebrate Babe's life on Saturday, October 23 at Memorial United Methodist Church in Farmington. Visitation will begin at 10 AM followed by the service at 11 AM. Burial will take place at Hillview Memorial Garden after the service. The Rev. Ron Beaton will officiate and arrangements have been made by Liley Funeral Home.

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LaVerne A. (Babe) Hulsey

August 18, 1923 - September 30, 2021