She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. James W. Batten of Greenville and Micro.

Mrs. Batten was born on November 6, 1915 on the family farm outside of Murfreesboro, NC. She was the daughter of Gladstone and Eldorodo (Doe) Storey.

She is survived by a brother, J. Lewis Storey of Murfreesboro; a sister, Hazel Fisher of Newport News, VA. Preceding her in death were sisters Miriam and Gladys.

She graduated from Chowan College and began her teaching carrier at Glendale School. When Dr. Batten was hired to also teach there, the principal announced to those having dinner at the teacherage, "I have hired Miss Storey a husband today". They were later married and remained very much a devoted couple for over 59 years. She also taught at Micro School for many years until she stopped to care for the medical needs of her father-in-law Mr. Albert Batten. She and Dr. Batten both attended UNC Chapel Hill in 1958 where she received her Masters in Library Science in 1959. She and Dr. Batten then moved to Greenville where she was able to fulfill her love of books by working in the library at ECU. She retired from that position after serving for over 25 years.

She and her husband were members of and attended Micro Free Will Baptist Church for many years until her declining health prevented her from making the journey from Greenville on a regular basis.

Mrs. Batten was loved by all that knew her and always admired for her intellect and quiet, gentle nature. She was the epitome of a southern charming lady that never spoke ill of anyone. She was dedicated to her husband in everyway and was very instrumental in providing research for the 17 different books he authored.

Thanks to Silvercare and Hospice of Greenville for meeting her medical and daily needs in the last 3.5 years of her life. Her two primary care givers were Willie Mae Blount and Cynthenia Barfield. They were devoted to her and added many days and nights of pleasure to her life.

A special thanks to her neighbors and friends. Dr. Bill and Margaret Pritchard for their many visits and acts of kindness they gave over the last 41 years. Dr. Bud and Carrie Joyner provided daily meals and visits at the time of illnesses of both Dr. and Mrs. Batten.

Mrs. Batten will be greatly missed by Donnie E. Lassiter, whom she considered her "son" and he his "mother", along with his wife Linda, son, Trent, daughter, Sara and her husband, Mike. Miss Sara and Dr. Batten were very proud of their two "grand children" and always enjoyed their visits.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2009 in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home in Selma. Burial will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Micro Free Will Baptist Church, P. O. Box 247, Micro, NC 27555, or

for the Sara S. Batten Special Collection Endowment, make checks to ECU Foundation and mail to ECU Foundation, Greenville Center, 2200 South Charles Street, Suite 1100, Greenville NC 27858, Attention Marci Romary.