Joan Pierce Battle

A valedictorian graduate of New Hanover High School, she graduated magna cum laude from Wake Forest College, having attained membership in Phi Beta Kappa her junior year. Her Master of Arts degree was awarded to her by Duke University. She attained both degrees while on scholarship programs and worked throughout her career to help other students obtain scholarships.

Joan was an educator in Alaska and in North Carolina for thirty-five years, teaching and mentoring students from grade six through sophomores in college. She loved learning and helping others to learn, particularly in the field of English. She was a classroom teacher and professor, a department chairman, an academic dean, a guidance counselor, and a mentor for teachers in the initial certification process. She worked in Kodiak, Alaska, on-base schools, Durham County Schools, Meredith College, Ravenscroft School, and Saint Mary’s College. She was also the first State Supervisor of English for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. She served on many reviewing committees for state and regional accreditation of N.C. schools. At one time she was a teacher in the Danielson Class of Hayes Barton Baptist Church.

At various times Joan was a member of garden and book clubs, the Raleigh Women’s Club, Caswell-Nash Daughters of the American Revolution, Johnson-Pettigrew UDC, Wake County Association of Phi Beta Kappa, and Joel Lane Questers, serving as various officers in many of these. She particularly enjoyed writing and public forums.

Joan is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Robert Lee Battle of Raleigh, and by her three children (and their spouses), Colonel Jonathan Robert Battle, James Alexander Battle, and Dr. Elizabeth Margaret Battle. She is survived by two grandsons, Robert William Battle and Nathaniel Jacob Battle, and a step-granddaughter, Dawn Meera Kurry. Her greatest joy came from the well-being of her family, her friends, and in education.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 pm Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the parlor. A private burial will be held at Forest Hills Cemetery in Nashville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of choice.

Condolences may be sent to www.BrownWynne.com