Alma Ruth Batchelder

Mom was the oldest of 13 children. Her brothers Dewey, Joe, Toy, and Coy Vaughn, and her sisters Alta Mosley, Jane Pickett and Linda Seals have all preceded her in death.

She is survived by her sister Barbara Thomas of Tenn, and Lawrence, Lowell, Frank, and Bennie Carlton of Arkansas.

Uncle Wyvon Ritchie and Aunt Brenda kept in touch with Mom until her passing.

Mom loved her nieces and nephews. She had the remarkable ability of remembering most of their birthdays until the last few years.

My Dad, Lowell, and Mom had four children. Lonnie, and his wife, Diane who preceded her in death, left behind three children, Darren Cowan, Laura Hodges, and Karen Perry, giving Mom five great grandchildren. Larry lost his wife, Teri ten years ago. They had four children, Dana Deul, Lisa Shockey, Eric Carpenter and Jana Cowan. They gave Mom twelve great grandchildren. Alen and Jana gave Mom two great, great grandchildren.

Judy Phelps lost her husband Clayton, four years ago. They had three children, Scott and Damon Phelps, and Nioka Fletcher, they gave Mom ten great grandchildren.

I, Jean Welstead lost Ralph ten years ago. He had considered Mom to be his Mom. She often said Ralph was like a son to her. We had three children, Angie Gunther, Lowell and George Welstead, they gave Mom ten great granchildren, and fourteen great, great grandchildren.

Mom and Dad bought a home in Anderson in 1962. Mom lived there until she came to live with me.

Mom loved flowers. Roses were her favorite. She always had a pretty yard.

After Mom and Dad divorced, she married Chet Murphy. After that she married Clint Batchelder. They were married 27 years. They had a good marriage. We loved Clint. He passed away on Sept 11, 2001. Clint and Dad were good friends.

For years, Mom ran a Guest Home. She had just two guests at a time. Mom was always a caregiver, from raising her siblings to raising her own children and grandchildren. Her elderly guests became like family to us. She would ask if anyone was thirsty or hungry, and start cooking even before you asked her. Mom loved to feed people.

Uncle Bennie told me when he was born he wasn't expected to live, but Mom didn't give up on him. He wouldn't be alive today, if it weren't for Mom.

Family was always the most important thing to Mom. She bestowed a strong feeling of family in all of us.

Mom and Dad remained close until Dad's passing. Dad was almost 87 years old and Mom had just turned 87. It seemed it was always meant to be this way .

I will always carry Mom in my heart and I am sure the others feel the same way.

God Bless You, Momma!

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 13, 2013 from 9:00AM to 11:00AM, followed by a Chapel Service at 11:00 AM, at Lawncrest Chapel, 1522 E Cypress, Redding, CA. Interment will be in Cottonwood Cemetery following the Chapel Service.