Mary Esther Batchelor

PLEASANT GROVE COMMUNITY…Ms. Mary Esther Taylor Batchelor, a resident of the Pleasant Grove Community, near Ozark, died early Sunday evening, November 14, 2021, in a Dothan hospital. She was 78.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 17, 2021, in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Reverend Mike Whitt and Pastor Jeff Downing officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Ms. Batchelor, daughter of the late James Nelson Taylor and Thelma Lucille Outlaw Taylor, was a native and lifelong resident of the Pleasant Grove Community, near Ozark. She was a graduate of Dale County High School in Ozark. Ms. Batchelor was a graduate of Troy University where she received her teaching degree and received her Master’s Degree from Auburn University. She was retired from the Dale County School System as a teacher at Dale County High School in Midland City where she taught Accounting and Typing. Ms. Batchelor had servants’ heart and enjoyed taking care of her late aunt, Edna Harris and cousin, Katie Streit. She was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Mary Frances Taylor.

Surviving relatives include her daughter, Caren Goodson (Terry), Rocky Head Community; son, Joel Batchelor (Donna), Ozark; brother, Joe Taylor, Pleasant Grove Community; four grandchildren, Haley Barefoot (Stetson), Brett Goodson, Jacob Batchelor, and Zachary Batchelor.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Zachary Batchelor, Jacob Batchelor, Brett Goodson, Stetson Barefoot, Kenny Hill, and Clay Hughes.