LeRoy Oglethorpe Batts, III of Snow Hill, NC passed away on February 14, 2022, after a period of declining health. He was born in Kinston, NC on March 7, 1962 to LeRoy and Betty Zene Batts.
He graduated from Kinston High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, NC. Le grew up at the knee of his maternal grandfather, Robert Lee, learning how to farm at an early age. Le proudly served as a North Carolina State Highway Patrolman in the late eighties and transitioned to being a tobacconist, even travelling to Malawi, Africa for A.C. Monk & Co. to set up a tobacco processing plant.
Later, he worked for Case Farm Credit and briefly owned an award engraving business in Mount Pleasant, SC. His passions included restoring International tractors, military history, and the P51 Mustang airplane. Le is survived by his son, Robert, of Charleston, SC; his, sister, Holly Batts, of Fairfax, VA; and two people who were close as any siblings: Robert Carraway of Hookerton, NC, and Amanda Tolar, of Raleigh, NC. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Velma Daniels Lee, both of his parents, and his brother-in-law, John Stephens.
The Batts family is grateful for the love shown to them by their friends and extended family and they are forever thankful for his caregivers who showed a momentous amount of love, laughter, and care for Le in his final weeks-- Yvonne Spencer, Christian Snuggs, and De’Vante Day. A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, February 19 at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 800 Rountree Street, Kinston NC. A reception will follow.
Le’s most fervent wish was to have his ashes scattered at some of his favorite places in his beloved eastern NC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in honor of his successful fight against the ugly disease just a short time ago. He would often proudly say, “I beat cancer!”
Arrangements by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.
