Marcus "Mark" Garvey Battle

“Mark” (Age 87)

Passed away peacefully on October 26, 2011. An advocate for social justice, Mark Battle served as Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) from 1984-1992. He later co-founded the NASW Social Work Pioneers and received NASW’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. From 1974 to 1984, he was a professor and chair of the Macro Sequence at Howard University School of Social Work. From 1992-1999, he was a visiting professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work in Baltimore where he was awarded the Dean’s Medal for Outstanding Service.

He was an inspiration to all who knew him, working tirelessly to improve societal conditions and the lives of others. For his family, he was the patriarch and “the rock”, motivating everyone to reach high and follow their dreams.

He leaves to grieve his wife Evelyn Kays-Battle; daughter Erica McIntyre-Grider (Ron); daughter Kewana Battle-Mason; son Marcus E. Battle (Tracey); stepson Leonard Pettiford (Bridget); four grandchildren and five step-grandchildren; three great grandchildren; four sisters; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandson Darrian Chapman.

A private family funeral will be held, followed by a public memorial service at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C. on December 10 at 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mark Battle Scholarship Funds at the Schools of Social Work at Howard University and the University of Maryland at Baltimore. To send tributes, please visit www.witzkefuneralhomes.com.