James D. Batchler

BLACKSBURG - James Dewey Batchler, 85, 360 Batchler Drive, passed away Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at the Regional Hospice Home.

Born in Blacksburg, Mr. Batchler was the husband of Lucille Pierce Batchler and son of the late Jacob Crockett (Boss) and Annie Mae Allison Batchler. Mr. Batchler had dedicated his life to service. He served God as a member of Hopewell Baptist Church; he served his country as a United States Marine in World War II; and he served Cherokee County on the Cherokee County Council since 1967. As a councilman, he was helpful in the Peachtree Centre renovation and was very instrumental in obtaining grants and monies for getting water on the Blacksburg side of Broad River and the new Blacksburg Library.

In his 11 terms on the Cherokee County Council, Mr. Batchler served as Chairman for three different years (1984, 1990 and 1996) and he served on the finance committee for several years.

In 2007, as a thank you for what he had done in his years of service as councilman, the new bridge between Blacksburg and Gaffney on Highway 29 was named the "James D. Batchler Bridge." He also served on the Appalachian Council of Governments' Board of Directors and was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 202 AFM, where he was the Master of Lodge for three years.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Batchler is survived by a son, Craig Batchler of Blacksburg; a daughter, Barbara B. Haggard of Blacksburg; a sister, Mabell Pruitt of Blacksburg; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Batchler was preceded in death by four brothers, Drayton, J.C., Roland and Roy Batchler.

Services were held Sunday, Aug. 30, at 3 p.m. at Hopewell Baptist Church with the Rev. Terry Lowe officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Visitation was held Saturday, Aug. 29, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Hopewell Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1886, Gaffney, SC 29342.

The family will be at the residence.

The Book of Memories is available at www.gordonmortuary. com.