Barbara (Babs) Ann Wilford Buskirk Fry

barbara (babs)  buskirk fry

November 10, 1937 ~ January 21, 2025

Born in: St. Charles, Illinois
Resided in: Stone Mountain, Georgia

Barbara “Babs” Ann (Wilford Buskirk) Fry passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, surrounded by her family at her Stone Mountain, GA home. Babs was born on November 10th, 1937, in St. Charles, IL. Her mother awaited her daughter’s birth by playing bridge with extended family and the famed golfer, Bobby Jones. Babs grew up in Oak Park, IL enjoying sports, Girl Scouts, and summer camps where she honed her swimming skills. Her passion began for aviation early in life. At Oak Park/River Forest High School (IL), she joined the O’Hare and Proviso Squadrons of the Civil Air Patrol. She graduated from the University of Illinois (U of I) with a BA in Finance. It was at the U of I where she made national news by becoming the first female Air Force ROTC cadet at U of I, and marked the first time a female had to be saluted by male cadets on the campus. While in AFROTC, she earned the rank of a 2nd Lt. and achieved her private pilot’s license.

After college graduation, Babs received a direct commission into the Women’s Air Force (WAF) of the U.S. Air Force and was eventually stationed at the Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado, with the hope of flying. Unfortunately, she was not allowed to be a pilot in the AF because she was a woman and served between wars, so she got a desk job. She was very disappointed. She met Richard D. Buskirk, enlisted in the Air Force, but married him on October 12, 1960, after he became a civilian. She served for two years in USAF and advanced in the ranks to 1st Lt. She was honorably discharged “at the convenience of the government,” as they put it, after becoming pregnant. Women weren’t allowed to serve while they were pregnant in 1961. After her daughter’s birth, she wanted to fly for the USAF Reserve, but, again, wasn’t allowed to serve because she had a minor child.

Consequently, she and her family moved to Illinois where she worked as a civilian at the Great Lakes Naval Station in finance. She became a single mother shortly after the birth of her second daughter but still obtained a master’s degree in business administration while working full-time. Soon afterwards, she began working for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Babs married Ronnie Fry in 1974 and shortly thereafter, moved to the Atlanta area where she served as the IRS Regional Fiscal Management Officer until her retirement. She ventured into a new career after retiring from the IRS to learn about the corporate sector by becoming a Branch Administrator for Edward Jones Investments for many years.

Babs was well known for her volunteerism and many interests. She served as a docent at Zoo Atlanta (37 years), Georgia Aquarium (20 years), and Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary (2+ years), served on the Associated Credit Union Board of Directors (14 years), volunteered for the DeKalb and Gwinnett Republican Parties (25+ years), Lilburn Co-op (10+ years), Georgia Carry organization and for Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child. She participated in the “Save the Fox” (Theatre) campaign in 1976 to prevent its demolition. She volunteered there as an usher and then became a season pass holder to the Fox, and various theatres around Atlanta. She played ALTA tennis, served as a Chastain Park usher, played softball, square danced, clogged, and went shooting at the Main Street Guns.

Though she volunteered extensively, those experiences paled in comparison to her faith, love and loyalty to her relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Although she prayed daily (especially for her family and friends), attended a women’s Bible study for decades, and was a member at Cornerstone Bible Church since 1976, she would be the first to tell you that those activities meant nothing. It was only Jesus’ work on the cross that provided a way for her to have salvation and a relationship with God. We know she was immediately in His presence the moment she passed from this earth, and she is whole again. Babs will be dearly missed.

Babs was preceded in death by her parents, Robert N. Wilford, Sr., and Marianne E. Wilford, and her two older brothers, Robert N. Wilford, Jr., and William B. Wilford (Georgia and Gloria), and her husband of 44 years, Ronnie Fry. She is survived by her beloved sister-in-law, Rosalie Wilford; her daughters: Kim (Lee) Callaway and Gena (Wendell II) Ford; grandchildren: Jessica Ford, Wendell III (Kaeley) Ford, and Savannah Callaway; her stepchildren and their families: Dennis (Kathy) Fry, Rob (Debbie) Fry, and Lori (Michael) Diaz. Babs will be remembered by many, many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Babs Fry’s memorial service will be at Cornerstone Bible Church, 869 Cole Dr SW, Lilburn, GA 30047, on Friday, February 7: visitation at 4 – 5 p.m., and service at 5 – 6 pm. The service will be streamed live on the church’s website at cbclilburn.org. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her memory to the Jungle Aviation and Relay Service (JAARS.org).

An image showing the branch of service for Air Force

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Babs was a most amazing lady. Having known her well since 1977 as well as her family. I have always loved this family and been blessed with their friendship, love for God and one another. You will be dearly missed my friend. Much love and prayers for Kim and Gena and family.
    Bobby Galasso

  2. CandleImageWhat a beautiful legacy Babs leaves with her family!
    May the Lord comfort each of you as only He can.

  3. Babs is a dear friend, example, mentor, patriot, and Christian. I know that she is now rejoicing with her Savior, praising God for His amazing grace and redemptive sacrifice for us. Though, humanly speaking, Babs lived an exemplary life, and we all held her in the highest regard, she would want all of us to know that her eternal destiny is rooted only in the shed blood of her Savior.

    You cannot think of Babs without envisioning her sweet smile, humble spirit, and servant’s heart. An irreplaceable gem!

  4. CandleImageTo the Babs’ family,

    Please accept my sincere condolences for your profound loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  5. CandleImageSo very sorry for your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Psalm 94:19 says, “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul”

  6. CandleImageBabs – I will miss you but know you are whole again and in the presence of our Lord. I will see you on the other side.

  7. CandleImageIt was such an honor to get to know Ms. Fry. She had the most determined spirit and loved her family more thank anything in this world. She will be missed dearly. 🙏

  8. My deepest sympathies and prayers for the family. Her quiet strength and kindness will always be remembered. I had the pleasure to meet Miss Babs at a Christmas dinner a couple months ago. What an honor to have met a trailblazer and American hero.

  9. I met Babs as a fellow 20 year volunteer at Georgia Aquarium. We usually volunteered together on Mondays. Shelley was such a an interesting person to talk to. Shelley will be missed at Georgia Aquarium


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

  1. CandleImage
  2. CandleImage
  3. CandleImage
  4. CandleImage
  5. CandleImage
  6. CandleImage
  7. CandleImage
  8. CandleImage