Lloyd E. Batson

EASLEY — Lloyd E. Batson, 91, long-time pastor of Pickens First Baptist Church and leader of Baptist life in the region, state, and nation, died peacefully on February 5, 2016.

He is survived by his wife, Joy Barrick Batson, of Louisville, Ky., his son L. Ellis Batson Jr., and daughter-in-law Tara Smith Batson of Goshen, Ky., and his son Charles R. Batson of Albany, N.Y. He is also survived by his granddaughter Amber Batson Barnett and her husband Jeff, his granddaughter Kelsey Joy Batson, his grandson Miles Ellis Batson, and his great-granddaughter Summer Joy Steurle.

A native of Alcolu, S.C., Dr. Batson was one of five Baptist minister sons of the Rev. Dr. P.O. and Eva Batson, who also served Baptist communities and institutions in South Carolina. Following WWII military service, during preparations for which he met Mrs. Batson in Alvin, Texas, Dr. Batson received a BA from Furman University, and the BD and ThD degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In recognition of his extraordinary service as their alumnus over the course of his life, both institutions gave him signal honors, including the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Furman University, where he served on the Board of Trustees as Secretary, Vice-Chair, and Chair, and then again as trustee emeritus until near his death.

Dr. Batson was particularly pleased he could serve in helping integrate the Furman student population in the 1960s and in guiding the University through its difficult steps in the 1990s to become a nationally recognized, diversified institution of higher learning.

Dr. Batson served as pastor of Commisky and Bear Creek Baptist Churches in Indiana during his time in the Seminary, and began his pastorate at Pickens First Baptist Church in 1956. During his 33 years as pastor in Pickens, he served many local organizations, often in leadership positions, including Cannon Memorial Hospital, Pickens Rotary Club, Meals on Wheels, and North Greenville College.

He enjoyed personal and professional relationships with fellow pastors, including the Rev. Dr. Julius Scipio of Griffin Ebenezer Baptist Church, with whom Dr. Batson established historically significant pulpit exchanges. He further served as President of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and as Chair of the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He undertook several international missions, including an important journey to South Africa under assignment from the Foreign Mission Board. During all of these periods of service, Dr. Batson could be counted on to speak of the many relationships he cherished with the people of Pickens County.

Upon retirement, Dr. and Mrs. Batson moved to Easley, S.C., where they took on new roles of service. Dr. Batson served as a chaplain at Easley Baptist Hospital and frequently wrote columns for The Easley Progress, which were ultimately compiled in the volume "From My Life's Journey."

After greatly enjoying the time he could devote in retirement to fishing, camping, and writing stories for his grandchildren, in 2012 he moved with Mrs. Batson back to Louisville, Ky., where he continued to live a vibrant life of servant leadership, recognized for his joyful spirit and his hearty laugh.

Visitation will be held at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2014. A service celebrating Dr. Batson's life will be held at Easley First Baptist Church on Saturday, February 13, 2016, at 2 p.m., followed by burial at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

The family would be honored if, in lieu of flowers, you made a donation to the Lloyd E. and Joy B. Batson Room, via the Office of Development, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613.

Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.