Vernon McGregor Batson

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Vernon McGregor Batson, 64, of Wilmington, N.C., died Sunday, June 5, 2005, at his residence. He was born Aug. 4, 1940, in Wilmington, N.C., son of the late Forrest Batson and Nellie Mason Batson. Mr. Batson graduated from North Carolina State University in 1962 with a degree in electrical engineering. He was employed with NASA Langley, Hampton, Va., as a research engineer from 1962-1997 and was a resident of Yorktown, Va., during that time. At retirement in 1998, Mr. Batson relocated his family to the old homeplace in Wilmington N.C., where he built his present home near the water. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and helping people. Throughout his lifetime he and his wife helped to raise many children. Surviving is his loving wife of 43 years, Sharon Crapps Batson; three children, Lorenda Batson of Morehead City, N.C., Jeffrey Batson and wife, Jennifer, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Deborah Batson of Wilmington, N.C.; two grandchildren, Joshua Batson and Sarah Batson of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; foster children, Lynn, Kara and Thomas; a special cousin, Mollie Johnson of Wilmington, N.C.; his father-in-law, Earl Crapps of Kinard, S.C.; and three sisters-in-law, Brenda Nickerson of Charleston, S.C., Mary Ann Sulik of Kinard, S.C., and Sue Crapps of Columbia, S.C. The family will receive friends at the residence between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m. Tuesday. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, at his residence, 126 Coquina Drive, (off Porters Neck Road towards Figure Eight Island). Interment will follow in Prospect Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 725 Wellington Ave., Wilmington, NC 28401, or to any charity of choice. Andrews Mortuary Market Street