Obituary: Ray Batson

Joseph Ray Batson, 90, of Suwanee, Ga., died Sept. 3, 2016.

Born July 3, 1926, in Sumter County, S.C., he graduated from North Greenville College, Carson Newman College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His early years in the ministry were spent serving churches in South Carolina. Later, he served as director of missions for Spartanburg County and Union County.

He served as a trustee of North Greenville College, a member of the General Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, and a trustee of South Carolina Baptist Ministries for the Aging.

After moving to Georgia, he served as volunteer chaplain at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Nancy Sloan Batson, and a daughter. Survivors include three daughters, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.