Pamela Ann Batte

Pamela Ann Wilkerson Batte,  faithful servant of God, has gone home to Jesus. Beloved wife, devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and thoughtful friend to SO many, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family and friends on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the age of 73 following complications with Alzheimer’s.     

     Pamela was born on May 23, 1950 to parents, Alton R. Thornton and Daisy Mae (Cotten) Thornton in Adams County and was raised in Amite County where she attended and graduated with honors from Liberty High School.  Nearing the end of her first year of college, she met and married her late husband (of 20 years), Valley Harrison Wilkerson, on September 7, 1969.   Being a prayerful woman who felt led to do more, she was determined to finish college, she continued her studies to become a teacher, and graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s degree in English and literature and began teaching in the Franklin County School District.  While teaching there, she earned her master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and raised 4 children by teaching and modeling how to love and honor God.  She went to church at Middleton Creek Primitive Baptist Church which was the same church she attended as a child.  She believed in the power of prayer!

     After the death of her first husband, God blessed her by providing her with a faithful, loving, and God fearing husband, Frank E. Batte, and she moved to Smith County.  She taught school at Morton High School where she eventually retired after a total of 28 years of teaching.  In her retirement, she took the time to help and serve others.  In all of her adult years, even close to the end, she ALWAYS sacrificed and thought of others–sending cards, gospel music, and more to a large number of family and friends.   Moreover, she faithfully continued to serve our Lord in Heaven.  She took many Bible study classes while also making an example for not only her children to follow, but also her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

     Pamela was preceded in death by her parents, Alton R. Thornton and Daisy Mae (Cotten) Thornton of Smithdale, Mississippi, and her first husband, Valley Harrison Wilkerson. 

     She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Frank E Batte, Sr.  Four children: Lana Kristie Wilkerson Smith (Brad) of Madden, MS; Darren Valley Wilkerson (Charlene) of Busy Corner, MS; Amanda Wilkerson Moreland (Rick) of Woodlands, TX; Lance Harrison Wilkerson (Lisa) of Meadville, MS; Three step children: Frank E. Batte, Jr of Raleigh, MS; Timmy Edwin Batte (Teresa) of Lemon, MS; Christy Batte Hodge of Raleigh, MS; 17 grandchildren: Christopher Black, Tyler Black, Emma Hodge, Valley Albertson, Vanna Smith, Carly Blair Allen, Mallory Smith, Brandin Batte, Jack Batte, Loren Shell, Kevin Vanier, AnnaGrace Conrad, Matthew Wilkerson, Brooke Wilkerson, Logan Wilkerson, Billy Wilkerson, and Irene Batte as well as 14 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by brothers, Delmar Thornton of Liberty, MS and Kenneth Thornton of Smithdale, MS.

     Pall Bearers will be Kevin Vanier, Matthew Wilkerson, Logan Wilkerson, Billy Wilkerson, Jake Allen, Brandin Batte, Jack Batte and Shane Burris.  

Visitation will be held from 5pm till 8pm Sunday, September 10, 2023, at the OTT & LEE Funeral Home in Forest.

Service: 4pm Monday, September 11, 2023,  Middleton Creek Primitive  Baptist Church -  Meadville, MS

There will be a second visitation on Monday, September, 11, 2023, from 1pm till  the service time at 4pm at the Middleton Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Meadville, MS. with interment to follow the service in the Middleton Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

OTT & LEE Funeral Home is honored to serve the Batte family.