Merle Batts

Merle Kelley Batts, 85, of Bainbridge, GA, passed away Friday, March 19, 2010 at Seminole Manor Nursing Home. The graveside funeral service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastor Dan Tomberlin officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the cemetery. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com . Mrs. Batts was born November 23, 1924 in Decatur County, GA, the daughter of Thomas Carlisle Kelley and Abbie Heard Kelley. She was a homemaker and a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Blake J. Batts. Survivors include her son, DeVaughn Valentine and his wife Theresa of Villa Rica, GA; her daughter, Faye Batts and her husband Jack of Bainbridge, GA; her brother, Thomas C. Kelley, Jr. of Atlanta, GA; 7 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.