Robert Edward Batten

Robert, was born on January 11, 1944 to John Samuel Batten and Hattie Virginia Frazier Batten. He attended Albemarle High School, where he met the first of two loves of his life Donna.

He worked for over 50 years for Kane Furniture and knew more about furniture and the roads here than anyone around. Rarely did you pass a house that he hadn’t filled with furniture and he loved to show you each one. Along with his dedicated career at Kane, Robert was a farmer and a horseman. He worked his beautiful farm morning noon and night and raised so many immaculate herds. He did it with such faithfullness, kindness and care and it was reflected in every shiny coat and beautiful straight back.

Robert and Donna would go on to have two sons Chad Edward Batten (Erin) and Stacey Shawn Batten (Katie). Robert was a wonderful and devoted father, son, husband, brother and Grandpa. He always taught that nothing was more important than family, faith and integrity. He answered every phone call and every question his boys asked. He taught them about hard work, that any job worth doing was worth doing right. There wasn’t much Robert couldn’t do when it came to fixing things, he was a true jack of all trades. When Robert wasn't working the farm or managing the Kane Warehouse he could be found eating at his favorite places, listening to the “good” country music or cheering on his cherished Hattie Mae at softball.

Robert’s heart was so full of love. Love for his wife of 62 years, His marriage to Donna was a love story that spanned 6 decades. You could often find them still holding hands on a car ride, splitting an ice cream sundae, and enjoying their rocking years home at Saddle Hill Farm.

It was so full of love for his sister Florence. If you were lucky you got to sit tableside to one of their conversations. They told us the stories of their lives, their childhood and their genuine love for one another.

It was so full of love for his two sons. He was so proud of the men he had raised and loved them like no other. They were always his pride and joy and they are made up of all the best parts of him.

His heart was so full of love for Hattie. Stacey and Katie gave him the greatest gift of being a Grandpa. Hattie Mae was undoubtedly the second love of his life. There’s was a bond like no other, two peas in a pod from the very start. She’s the only one ever allowed to swing on gates and run across haybales. Memories she will have with her for a lifetime.

Robert was predeceased by his parents John and Hattie Batten and his brother Hollis Batten.

He is survived by his wife Donna, his son Chad and his wife Erin, his son Stacey and his wife Katie. His beloved Gibson girls Amanda and Kristin and their families. His father in law and mother in law Marcus and Odelle Smith who he built so many happy memories with together as a family, his sister and her husband Florence and Pete Bruce and last but not least his little Hattie Boo.

He will be missed by his family every day. He was our Robert, our Daddy, our Hey Boy, the head of our family, He had the biggest heart but it still could not hold all the love he had to give.

Please remember the words he said to us every day, be careful on the road, lock up good and love yall.