Tess Aldridge Batten

Tess was born on February 16, 1925 in Linville, NC and was one of seven children. During World War II she moved to Baltimore, worked in a factory, and met her future husband a G.I. named Don Batten. They were married on November 28, 1944. After the war they moved to California where they raised their family. In the early 1960s Tess heard of a brand new program at Mt. SAC training students to become Respiratory Therapists. She joined and graduated from the first Respiratory Therapist training program in California. She worked in Respiratory Therapy for 20 years. After her husband passed she became involved in Granite Creek Community Church and worked with their KidCare program. There she made quilts to send to children in need and acquired medical equipment from local hospitals to start an HIV clinic in Africa. Tess went home to her Lord on March 2, 2023.

Tess is survived by her sons Dr. D. Gary Batten and Bradford Batten, daughter Debra Mutrux, two grandchildren Brandon Mutrux and Melissa Mutrux, and three great grandchildren.

She will always be remembered for her kindness and loving generous spirit.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Draper-Mortuary.com for the Batten family.