Tributes

A celebration of the life of Virginia Watson Batey will be held on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, 1:00 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home in Oxford, and a private inurnment will follow at Forestlawn Gardens Mausoleum. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, August 20, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Officiating at the service will be family friends, Charles Box, Minister at the Walnut Street Church of Christ in Greenville, Alabama and Dr. Malcolm Marler, Director of Pastoral Care at UAB Hospital. Virginia was born in Rochelle, Georgia on July 5, 1935; she passed away at age 83 on Thursday, August 16, 2018, on the Palliative Care Unit at UAB Hospital. She was preceded in death by her true love, best friend, and husband of 56 years, B.J. (“Bob”) Batey; her parents, Roscoe B. and Alice C. Watson; and siblings, Mary W. Pettus, Shirley W. Burt, and Jimmy R. Watson. She will be deeply missed by her devoted family: daughter Karen B. Phillips (Victor) of Oxford, son Dr. D. Scott Batey (Bryan Hobson) of Pell City, grandsons, Trenton P. Phillips (Ashleigh) and Chandler R. Phillips (fiancée Milynn Moore) both of Oxford, great-granddaughter, Holland P. Phillips of Oxford and other extended family. Virginia was a 1953 graduate of Anniston High School and an employee of Anniston Army Depot for over 35 years where she began as a secretary and, through her characteristic commitment and dedication, rose to a position of one of the highest ranked female employees at the Depot during that time. Virginia cherished her church, and she vigorously loved her family. Also a fierce believer in social justice and human rights, Virginia often opened her home to others, always sharing a warm smile, a good laugh, and a hearty meal. She lived her life to the fullest—largely because she gained much happiness from seeing others happy. Selfless, caring, strong—and as was most evident in her final days—resilient most closely describe her. She enjoyed Alabama football and gymnastics, Atlanta Braves baseball, bargain shopping, holidays, and cooking. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the Oxford City Schools Education Foundation, P.O. Box 7261, Oxford, Alabama, 36203 or to the charity of your choice.

Tributes

Mrs. Virginia Watson Batey

July 5, 1935 - August 16, 2018