Iola Batey

MOUNT PLEASANT- Iola Marie Batey passed away surrounded by love on August 5, 2023.

Iola Marie Batey was born on June 27, 1930, the daughter of Walter and Bertie Fleming in Williams, Iowa.  She was the 8th of 10 children, and her mom died when she was only 6 years old.  It wasn’t until she was a freshman that she arrived at the Charlie and Evelyn Davis’ home.  Evelyn would become known as “My momma” to Iola, and their family would always be an important part of her life.  She was blessed to stay with them in a loving home until she graduated from Clemens High School in 1947.  During her high school years, she excelled at sports and music.  Music remained a huge part of her life.  Whether inciting a family sing-a-long, or being an Andy Williams groupie, music was always present.

Iola married Robert Batey in 1955, and they began building a life together, creating a home that was filled with love and lots of activity.  Always a nurturer, Iola not only made her children feel secure and loved, she saved any abandoned animal that was brought to her home.

Iola was a constant motion machine.  She raised children (in the beginning without indoor plumbing), maintained a well-ordered household, beautiful flowerbeds and gardens.  She had a gifted mind and    provided the foundation for every family business endeavor. Yet, if you visited her home, there was always home-made bread and jam, and a delicious meal ready at a moments’ notice.

She loved a good auction.  An avid furniture restorer and antique collector, she became a respected member in that community for her knowledge.  Her daughter once asked her, “How do you know so much about this stuff?”  And she replied, “They weren’t antiques when I was using them.”

Iola was preceded in death by her husband Robert and her siblings. She is survived by her children, Gary (Donna) Batey, Cynda (Tom) Kinnemann, Kathleen Batey, Ted (Peggy) Batey, Scott Batey, Tim (Kerry) Batey, Todd (Deb) Batey, Sally (Alan Miller-deceased) Johnson, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Iola never needed the lime-light.  She just had a strong work ethic that she needed to satisfy for her own personal goals.  She wasn’t a self-promoter, but she was a promoter of all the people she loved.