Barbara Acker Penick Darragh

Barbara Acker Penick Darragh, 90, died Thursday, January 25, 2018. She was born to Thelma Oury and Charles Acker on October 24, 1927 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She attended public schools in North Little Rock and then attended high school at Little Rock High. She and her mother temporarily moved to St. Louis, Missouri when her father became ill, where she graduated from Monticello Junior College for Women in Godfry, Illinois. Babs was a Chi Omega at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, leaving college to marry Jim Penick, Jr, to whom she was married 36 years. In 1985 Babs married Thomas Eugene ‘Ted' Darragh, to whom she was married 25 years. Babs was the consummate community volunteer. She was a sustaining member and past president of the Junior League of Little Rock. She was involved in the founding of the Arkansas Arts Center, serving on the board and as president of the Fine Arts Club. She also served as the chairman of the Beaux Arts Ball fundraiser, a precursor to Tabriz. Babs was a member of the Women's Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools. She dedicated many hours to the YWCA located at 4th and Scott, raising money to secure its move to West Little Rock. She was president of the Aesthetic Club, Forest Park Elementary PTA, Mount Holly Cemetery Board, the visiting Nurses Association and Arkansas Children's Hospital Auxiliary. Babs was a member of the Country Club of Little Rock. She was on the Vestry at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and president of the Trinity Cathedral Churchwomen. Babs played tennis most of her life and served on the Arkansas State Tennis Board. Babs is predeceased by her parents, her son, Jim Penick III, her husbands, Jim Penick, Jr and Ted Darragh. She is survived by her children, Mary Worthen Penick Hodges (Henry), Barbara Acker Penick McNamee (Jim) of Nashville, and daughter-in-law, Vivian Allen Penick; grandchildren, Acker Penick Hodges Bell (Chris), Lt. Commander Robert Henry (Hank) Hodges (Bridget), Katherine Elzea McNamee Cornelius (Jeremy), James Daniel McNamee (Virginia), Mary Elizabeth McNamee Bosse (Ben), Kathryn Truemper Penick, Clare Rutland Penick, Elizabeth Acker Penick, and great-grandchildren, Penick and Sullivan Bell, Wyatt and Levi Cornelius, Riley, Ella, Fletcher, and Mary Grace McNamee and Price and Charlie Bosse. She is also survived by her step family: children, Kramer Darragh (Ida) and Dick Darragh; grandchildren, Thomas E Darragh III (Amy) and Molly Darragh Smith (Jared) and Lily Darragh, Ben Darragh and Paige Darragh, and great grandchildren, Anna, Audrey and Robert Darragh, Scarlett and Alby Smith. Babs was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed the outdoors and working in the yard. She loved playing tennis or golf or just floating on a raft in the ocean or on a lake. Babs was an accomplished equestrian early in her life. She enjoyed an occasional trip to New York to see a play, as well as an occasional float trip down the Buffalo River. She was a loyal and caring friend, always generous and gracious. Those who knew and loved her enjoyed her ready smile and sense of humor. She will be greatly missed. There will be a visitation from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, January 28 at Ruebel Funeral Home. The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 29 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral officiated by the Very Reverend Dr. Christoph Keller III. A private burial will be held at Mount Holly Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: James Penick, Jr foundation for Arkansas Children's Hospital, 800 Marshall St, Little Rock, Ark. 72202 or Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17th St., Little Rock, Ark. 72206 or Mount Holly Cemetery, P.O. Box 250118, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. The family would like to thank the special care given Babs by her personal home caregivers, Rachael Eskridge, Thivha Sykes, Elizabeth Williams, Neomi Siggers and Antoinette Byrom and the wonderful caring staff at CHI St. Vincent Hospice. We truly appreciate your love and care. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.