Jefferson Davis Batts, age 82, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, February 05, 2013. Born in Elm City on October 10, 1930, he was the son of the late Leroy Batts and Lula Bryant Batts. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Douglas Batts.
Jeff graduated from Elm City High School, Wake Forest University, WFU School of Law, and New York University. He practiced law in Rocky Mount from 1957 until 2010. He started his own firm in 1980, and thereafter practiced law with his two sons and son-in-law.
He served as president of the Rocky Mount Jaycees, Rocky Mount Kiwanis Club, and on the advisory board of Peoples Bank and Trust and Board of Trustees of Wesleyan College. Jeff also served on various committees of the NC State Bar, the Board of Visitors of the Wake Forest School of Law, and North Carolina Income Tax Review Board, among other areas of community and public service. A member of First Baptist Church, he served as Sunday School teacher, deacon and trustee.
Jeff is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Stanley Batts; one daughter, Amy Batts Bell and husband Joe; two sons, Michael Stanley Batts and wife Jo, and Jeffrey Arthur Batts and wife Sarah, all of Rocky Mount; daughter-in-law, Debbie Batts; one sister, Maggie Lamm and husband Billy of Wilson; and one brother, Pete Williams of Smithfield. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Ashley Gardner and husband David, Nathan Batts, Nikki Batts, Jennifer Batts, Casey Batts, Alex Batts, Spencer Bell, Caroline Bell, Forrest Bell, Sydney Philbeck and Jake Philbeck.
A memorial service to remember Jeff will be held at 2:00pm Friday, February 08, 2013 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Grisham officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service, and other times at the home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 200 South Church Street, Rocky Mount NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
First Baptist Church (Rocky Mount)
200 S. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Friday 2/8, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Service
First Baptist Church (Rocky Mount)
200 S. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Friday 2/8, 2:00 pm
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
To Barbara, Mike and Jeffrey we will all miss Jeff so much. We were good friends for more than 60 years sharing the love of the law, Wake Forest, sports and fishing among other things. Rest well in the peach of God my friend. Frank Wyatt
Our thoughts are with the family and friends in sympathy today. Steve & Frieda Clawson
Barbara and Family Sorry to hear about Jeff’s passing. I know his legacy in Eastern NC will go on. May God comfort you and the entire family. Steve Wilson (Roger and Alice’s youngest)
Eastern NC lost a key cultural builder with the passing of Mr. Batts. It’s people like Mr. Batts who meaningfully built the functionality of society in our part of the state. He had a rare ability to relate to everyone from tobacco farmers to the highest in political office. And Mr. Batts didn’t waste that gift from God. His service on boards, church, etc. were made better by his fundamental character and integrity. Values that are sorely missed in many of today’s generation.
If it weren’t for Mr. Batts, I probably would have never met many of the people who are now so important in my life. His legacy extends beyond the reach of his personal relationships, through the love that is interwoven between all of us he brought together. Big Jeff will always be with us at Durant, chuckling softly as Doc tells a true story, or sitting in his boat tidying his tacklebox, or hauling in a monster largemouth at the Wildlife Landing. Or in the profile of his sons and grandsons as they do the same. Rest in Peace.