John Pittman (Jack) Batts, Sr.

John Pittman Batts, Sr. (Jack), 86, of Valdosta, died Thursday, January 19, 2012, at his home after a brief illness. He was born May 21, 1925 in Winter Park, NC as the 3rd child of A.L. Batts, Sr. and Ethel Pittman Batts. Jack graduated from Orlando High School in 1943 (Orlando, FL). He was captain of the State Championship baseball team his senior year and chosen all-state. He played semi-professional baseball in Miami, FL and worked for Eastern Airlines. He served two years in the Army primarily in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands. He attended the University of NC for two years until he joined the Nabisco sales force in 1950 for 38 ½ years mainly in the Valdosta area. After retiring from Nabisco, he worked part-time at Winn Dixie for 15 years.

As an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed church softball and basketball, bass fishing, tennis, and gardening. Jack was a member of First Baptist Church for over 60 years where he taught young boys and college students and served as a deacon. He often confessed to his feelings of unworthiness to be loved by Jesus in whom he trusted and in whom he experienced forgiveness and joy and hope for eternal life.

In 1950, Jack married the love of his life, Betty Catherine Mizelle who survives him along with their children: John Pittman Batts, Jr. and wife Penelope of Alpharetta, and Elizabeth Ann Batts Register and husband Dr. S. David Register, III of Maumelle, AR. Jack and Betty also have 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Additionally he is survived by one sister, Virginia Lee Batts Chorley and husband Richard of Durham, NC; and a sister-in-law, Nadine Batts of Orlando, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Aubine L. Batts, Jr.; and a sister, Estelle Batts Langley and her husband Col. Harold Langley.

The Funeral Service for Mr. Batts will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2012, at the First Baptist Church, with Dr. Phil West and Rev. Mac Weaver officiating. Interment will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Please consider memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church, Mailbox Club or Hospice of South Georgia. Condolences may be expressed to the Batts' family online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602