Betty Bardsley Batson

Betty Bardsley Batson – born May 14, 1926 and went home to be with the Lord on August 6, 2020. Betty grew up in Glenside, PA, met the love of her life as WWII was coming to an end. She married Paul James Batson, Jr. on Dec. 21, 1948 and left the North to raise their family in the South. They raised their five children in Millington, TN where Paul started his medical practice. After he delivered his and Betty’s last two babies, he decided to shift his medical practice to OBGYN. This is what brought them to Gadsden, and where they settled in 1969. Gadsden was immediately their home- where their roots took hold! Betty and Paul loved this town, loved the time in which the Lord moved them here, and loved being a witness to what many consider to be a revival – so many young men and women responding to the Gospel call! One of these young men was her son, Paul, III. So, in late December of 1973, when both Betty’s husband and son, Paul, died in a plane crash, the assurance of where these two beloved and special people were, comforted and carried her through profound sorrow. But Betty, in true Betty form, never missed any opportunity to use her story of grief and hope to share the love of Christ, His undeserved mercy and grace, and the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One of Betty’s greatest achievements was being the best grandmother! She knew just how to love each of her blessings, spent time and made memories with them, and cherished every moment. Her four living children gave her 18 grandchildren! And then, she was able to enjoy the further blessing of Great-grand motherhood -33 in all (two of these are already with the Lord)!

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Paul James Batson, Jr, her son Paul James Batson, III, her parents, Samuel and Julia Bardsley, her brother, Leigh Bardsley, her son-in-law Jim Chambers, and her great grandchildren Ruby Mae Geiger and Foster Lee Chambers.

She leaves behind her children, Virginia (Steve) Nippert, Barbara Chambers, Joan (Chip) Lasseter, and John (Lynne) Batson. And her grandchildren: Joshua Nippert, Katie (Allen) Gaines, Ben Nippert, Ty (Amanda) Chambers, Bentley (Adam) Carr, Allison (Josh) Smalley, Reed (Jill) Chambers, Nicholas (Morgan) Chambers, Patton (Yilin) Chambers, Emmaline (David) Ackerman, Bridget (Jason) Sager, Johanna (Bruce) Stewart, Clara (David) Buchholtz, Virginia (Soren) Geiger, Andrew Lasseter, Bonnie (Casey) Lee, Julie (Gordon) Hengeveld, Molly Batson.

Private services will be held at a future date. The family would like to thank the staff of Gadsden Health and Rehab Center and Encompass Hospice. Collier Butler will handle the funeral arrangements. Betty will be laid to rest beside the earthly remains of her husband in Forrest Cemetery. The family requests no flowers (Clara has that covered), but if a memorial is your choice to honor the life of Betty Batson, please consider donating to her favorite mission, JAARS (Jungle Aviation and Radio Service) at PO Box 248, Waxhaw, NC 28173.