Alice Sanders Batey

Alice was born on December 31, 1946, to Elmer Leroy Sanders Sr and Mary Helen Carpenter Sanders in Newnan, Georgia. Raised with 5 brother and sisters, she loved to share stories of growing up in a large and lively family. She attended Dudley Hughes High school in Macon, Georgia. The family spent two years in Jamaica during Alice’s high school years, an experience that left her with memories lasting a lifetime. Upon completing high school, she attended Middle Georgia State University in Cochran, Georgia.

In 1963 she met the love of her life, Chuck Batey at a Valentine’s Day dance. The two married on February 16th, 1964, and shared a life for 59 years. In 1972 they moved to Stuart, FL, where they owned and operated Harrison Electric Supply for 30 years. They were blessed with a son, Charles “Ted” and a daughter, Lori Alicia. As a couple they enjoyed collecting antiques and were active members of Treasure Coast Vintage Car Club. In 2014, the couple welcomed a granddaughter, Evelyn Anika Batey. Alice was a doting and loyal Grammy to Evelyn and loved her beyond measure.

Alice was a devoted Christian and a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Stuart. Seeing the world through the eyes of children brought Alice a sense of joy and purpose. Recognizing a need in the community for faith-based education, she and her husband helped establish the First Baptist Christian School. She remained a committed advocate for children and the school throughout her life and even returned to the school to teach preschool after retiring from the family business.

To know Alice was to know she was American by birth, and Southern by the grace of God. She took great pride in her Georgia roots and in maintaining Southern traditions. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and served as secretary for the United Daughters of the Confederacy for over ten years. She also was a member of the Junior Women’s Club. She was a woman of conviction and enjoyed volunteering her time supporting her beliefs and values. She loved holidays and could be counted on to decorate, make crafts, send timely and thoughtful cards, and even don a festive hat or themed outfit to spread the joy of every season. She had a special knack for growing extraordinary orchids, a success she often attributed to the spirit of her beloved mama who gave her an orchid in 1985 that she nurtured for over 38 years. When she wasn’t gardening, crafting, creating holiday magic, or supporting her favorite causes, she could often be found listening to the music of Elvis Presley. Her daughter Lori especially enjoyed helping her mom curate a collection of Elvis memorabilia over the years.

She is preceded in death by her parents Elmer Leroy Sanders Sr and Mary Helen Sanders; brothers Nick and Elmer Leroy Sanders Jr; sisters, Geneva Gibbs and Mary Lee Durden. She is survived by her husband Charles Edward Batey Sr of Stuart FL; children Charles Edward Batey Jr (Breann) of Austin TX; Lori Alicia Batey of Alpharetta GA; one granddaughter Evelyn Anika Batey of Austin TX; sister Myrtle Jonson of Statesboro GA; brother-in-law Billy Durden of Macon GA; and sister-in-law Carolyn Sanders of Metter, GA. Many beloved nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will be held Sunday, May 14th from 4-6pm at Aycock Funeral Home in Jensen Beach. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, May 15th, at 11am at First Baptist Church of Stuart with Pastor Darrell Orman officiating. A graveside service will follow at Fernhill Memorial Gardens & Mausoleum in Stuart FL. Memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church of Stuart, American Lung Association, United Daughters of the Confederacy, or a charity of choice benefiting children or veterans.