Donald Wayne Battles

Donald (Head) Wayne Battles, 57, passed away Sunday, December 30, 2012, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene. Services will be 11:a.m., Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Galilee First Baptist Church, 1011 Briarwood St., with burial following in the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery, directed by Community Memorial Funeral Home, 1443 North 2nd Street, Abilene. The family will receive friends at a visitation 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Donald was born on June 17, 1955 to J.D. and Betty Jo Battles in Abilene, TX. He attended Woodson Elementary and graduated from Cooper High School.

Donald worked at McMurry University as a groundskeeper for six years. He was a jack of all trades and worked at various places, and had many skills. He was a construction worker, a ranch hand, and a mechanic. Donald was an active member of Galilee First Baptist Church and brotherhood as well as a deacon in training. In his earlier years, he was a member of the Plum Street United Methodist Church.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Betty Jo Gray (2008); his step-father, Charles Gray (2007); a brother, J.D. Battles, Jr. (2006); a sister, Lillian Jewel Battles (2003); a step-brother, Charles Robert Gray (2005); maternal grandparents, Buddy and Margarett Garrett; paternal grandparents, Jink and Orell Battles; uncles, Marvin Battles and Willie C. Battles; and great-grandparents, George and Lillian Desrow.

Survivors include his wife, Trista Battles; his son, Corey Rodell Hunter Battles and wife, Samantha Daniels; granddaughter, Olivia Janae Hunter; step-son, Christian Mosley; step-daughter, Krishandria Conley; step-son, Dominique Hunter; his father, J.D. Battles, Sr. and Ollie of Oxnard, CA; a sister, Margarett Ann and Clarence Mumford, Jr.; a nephew, Clarence Joseph (CeeJay) Mumford, III and Andrea; a brother, Wilbert Battles; his step-sisters, Diane Johnson and Edmond, and Linda Sue Gray all of Abilene; step-brothers, John Lewis Gray and Billy Roy Gray of Wichita, KS; Willie Gray of Abilene, and Jimmy Gray of Midland; aunts, Paralee Norman of Abilene; Evangelist Vivian Griffin of Oakland CA, and Addie Nowlin of Houston; cousins, Wesley, Curtis, and Douglas Norman of Abilene, Eula and Lovie Norman of Duncanville, TX, Teresa Moore of Lubbock, Rosemary Stevenson of Abilene, Mae Francis Amos and Patricia Quarry of Oakland, CA, Maxine Howard of Mainz, Germany, and Claudia Burns and Drucilla Christian of Abilene, and a host of other relatives.

The family wishes to express special thanks to all whom have given condolences to the family and also let everyone know the family is located at 3226 Sherry Ln. and 2440 Buffalo Gap Rd., Apt. 175 for any food, cards, or flowers.