Mary (Mae Helen) Batts was born in Spalding County on October 25, 1942 to the parents of Lottie Richards-Fuller of Spalding County and John Frank Henley, Sr. of Concord. Mary was 75 years old when her number was called on Thursday, November 9, 2017; at her home in Griffin, GA, due to natural causes.
She began her education in Spalding County, where she played basketball and was on the track team. She was a class of 1959 graduate of Fairmont High School, where she continued to help plan reunions and events until her passing.

Mary accepted Christ as her Savior and was a long time member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church until she found her permanent church home at Grace Paradise Fellowship Baptist Church in Orchard Hill. There she served as director of the choir, then head of the finance committee, and on the Mother board. Her presence will be dearly missed at the church, because she was a dedicated member who made sure the church’s business was in order and that every child in the church had a nice gift every Christmas.  

Mary was married February 26, 1972 to Samuel Batts, which they later divorced but still maintained a friendly relationship until her passing. She was also a former employee of U Serve U Save as a manager and Carter’s as a buyer, where she made many lifelong friends.

Mary was a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 8480. In her leisure time, she enjoyed playing bingo, coaching softball, doing crossword puzzles, reading novels, watching baseball, and taking care of her family. She also was a musician who played the organ and a long time foster parent.
Mary was preceded in death by her grandmother Pearlee Richards-Boggs, brother Melvin “Blue” Richards and sister/brothers: Katie Mae Henley Burden, Frank Henley, Jr., and Samuel Henley.

Mae Helen is survived by her mother, Lottie Mae Richards-Fuller, her aunt Myrtle Ethridge, two brothers: Milton (Thelma) Holmes, Marion Richards, daughter/niece: Annette (Keith) Screen. Four children: Zachery “Buckwheat” (Yolanda) Holmes, Shwanda (Marcus) Dukes, Dicey (Denez) Callahan, and Jas Batts. 3 grandchildren: Brandi (Daniel) Lee, Season & Za’Carri Holmes; 3 great-grandchildren: Day & Daniel Lee, Zachery Samuel Holmes. Nieces: Iesha (Craig) Richards, Patrice Screen, LaKiah (Gary) Gregory, Trena (Qudus) Varner. Nephews: Tony (Keisha) Chambers, Markeith (Heather) Screen, Omar & Michael Richards
God-children: Willie Richards and Valinda Freeman. Close Friends: Margie Daniel, Gloria Howard, Mattie-Sue Walker, Rosa Reid, Barbara King, Pasty Mann, Hazel Parks, and her Bingo buddies, and a host of other close family & friends.

A funeral service for Mary Helen Batts will be Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at 11:00 am in the chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Mary Helen Batts was buried at Westwood Gardens, Griffin, Georgia.

Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 West McIntosh Road, Griffin, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements.

Please join the family and friends in honoring the life of Mary Helen Batts by visiting www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com and posting your tributes and memories.

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