He was born to Cooper Malone Battle, Sr. and Louise Bell Anschutz on September 9, 1929 in Memphis Tennessee. He graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1947. Malone Battle earned a bachelor's in Civil Engineering from Auburn University and another degree in Bible from Columbia International University, Columbia SC. As an engineer, he participated in the construction of I-240 around Memphis and served with the naval reserve in Washington D.C.
In 1957, a pivotal year for Malone, he graduated from Columbia International University, went to Alabama to help with a summer youth program, and on June 10th married, Dorothy Jean Griffin in Memphis. After serving as an interim pastor for Barton Southern Methodist Church in Memphis, the Lord called him into foreign missions. He prepared to go to Irian Jaya under Regions Beyond Missionary Union but was sent to South America. The mission sent him and his family to Bolivia for language study and then to the Amazonia of Peru.
The family set up residence in the town of Juanjui where Cooper worked with the local believers. He would ferry ministers, church workers and supplies up and down the Huallaga River and other tributaries of the Amazon. Later the mission sent him to Lima, the capital of Peru, where he represented them before the various government agencies. There he joined with former residents of Juanjui and helped them plant a new church.
However ministry was not limited to church planting. He also established a printing firm which published everything from church posters and letterheads to Sunday school literature and Bible study materials. He even served as the Field Director and his wife served as hostess to various mission and ministry dignities.
The Southern Methodist Church ordained him as an elder in 1988. He also served as a Southern Methodist missionary in Oaxaca, Mexico for a few years and then returned to Peru.
Even in retirement he was always active. He taught Sunday school and served on the Board of Barton Southern Methodist. He enjoyed raising chickens, gardening and repairing things.
He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Jean Griffin Battle, his sister, Irene Taylor Battle Fort, and his two brothers Joseph Masters Battle and George Boddie Battle.
He is survived by his eldest son, John Raymond Battle who is married to Sheila Louise Savary, his daughter Mary Louise who is married to Richard Alan Sullivan, and his youngest son David Malone Battle who is married to Judith Lenore Luckenbill. His grandchildren are Daniel, James, Ruth Anne, Sean, Hunter, Wesley and Caleb.
The family will receive visitors at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 6, at Open Door Bible Church, 1792 N Parkway, Memphis, TN. Rev. Gary Starbuck will officiate the memorial service at 2:00 P.M. The burial will follow at the Tabernacle Cemetery outside of Brownsville, TN.
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