WISNER, La. — Services for M.J. “Son” Batey Jr., 76, of Wisner, who died Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at his residence, were Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Wisner with the Rev. Thomas Peoples officiating.
Burial followed at Oakley Cemetery under the direction of Gill First National Funeral Home in Winnsboro, La.
Mr. Batey was born Nov. 26, 1932, the son of Matthew Julian and Ethel Carmen McCarty Batey. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Wisner, where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School class at Marianna Nursing Home. He was also a member of Gideon International.
He was a graduate of Wisner High School and Northwestern State University. He received his +30 at Louisiana Tech University and his master’s in education from Mississippi College.
Mr. Batey began his career in education at St. Amant Elementary School in Baton Rouge, but moved back to Franklin Parish in 1961, and became teacher and coach at Wisner Elementary School. He served as principal at Winnsboro Lower Elementary School and then at Wisner Junior High School. He was appointed administrator of NLU Franklin and retired from education in 1989. During “Son’s” retirement, he doted on his loving family and found time to enjoy his favorite pastimes, which included fishing, lawn mowing, “piddlin” with small engines and his old truck and remained a devoted Louisiana State University fan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, JoAnn Ezell Batey; one sister, Fay Rollins; and one brother, Robert Earl Batey.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Borum Batey; three children, Laura Batey McFarland and husband, Tommy, Michael Matthew Batey and wife, Danielle Dufrene, and Anna Carol Batey, all of West Monroe, La.; one sister, Sandy Batey Brister and husband, Mark, of Monroe; one brother, Kenneth Ray Batey of Sicily Island; and six grandchildren, Elizabeth, Mary Kate and Amanda McFarland, Kade and Cameron Batey and Julian Michael Batey.
Pallbearers were Alan Borum, Charles Borum, Nathan Calhoun, Marc McCarty, Trey Kiper, J.T. Tims, Jesse Young and Ray Young.
Honorary pallbearers were deacons of First Baptist Church of Wisner.
Donations may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 97, Wisner, LA 71378.
Online condolences may be sent to www.gillfirstnational.com.