Mrs. Patricia June Woodruff Batchelor of Covington, formerly of Atlanta, died Wednesday, Oct. 10.
She was born June 28 1941, in Atlanta, to Terry Woodruff and Daisy Mae (Hopkins) Woodruff. She grew up with her sister Buna, and brothers T.J., Jerry and Harold. The love they learned for each other as children lasted a lifetime.
On Aug. 29, 1970, she was married to Gordon Batchelor. Their love and dedication to each other was truly inspiring. Mr. Batchelor's dedication to his wife during her illness was the perfect example of unconditional love. They were blessed with a daughter Kimberly, on June 22, 1971. Mrs. Batchelor was an incredible mom and centered her world around Kim, but when Cody was born in 1992, her world was complete. She loved Cody with all of her heart and loved being his "Mudder." She had an extraordinary gift - she loved with her whole heart. She has attended more weddings and baby showers than most could count. Most people will remember Mrs. Batchelor standing with her camera on one eye and her hand over the other. Of course, this also resulted in several thousand pictures of headless people. But through all of this, many hearts were touched and many lives were changed. She was not only a great wife, mother and grandmother, but also a great sister, aunt and friend.
Mrs. Batchelor fought a long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). This disease attacked her body, but it didn't destroy her spirit. And in the end, even though she had no use of her arms and legs, and could not speak or eat, she could still bless people with her room-brightening smile. That smile and spirit will be forever remembered. She was truly an amazing woman. Mrs. Batchelor is preceded in death by her parents Terry and Daisy Woodruff; brother and sister-in-law Harold and Seleana Woodruff; sister Buna Mae Jordan; father and mother-in-law, Barney R. and Hattie Mae Batchelor of Morrow.
She is survived by her loving husband Gordon; daughter and son-in-law Kim and Dewayne Collins; grandson Cody Batchelor Collins; granddaughter Ariel Collins, all of Covington; brothers and sisters-in-laws T.J. and Faye Woodruff of Mansfield, Jerry and Gail Woodruff of Conyers; brother-in-law Billy Jordan of Hampton; nephews and nieces Bill and Tammy Jordan of Griffin, James and Tisha Woodruff of McDonough, Amanda Woodruff, Ashley Harris, both of McDonough, Jerrica Woodruff of Conyers; great-nephews Neill and Jamie Jordan of Griffin; half-sister Betty Ann Neally.
Funeral services for Mrs. Batchelor were held yesterday, Oct. 13, at the Chapel of Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, with Rev. Jerry Jones officiating, and interment followed in Fairview Memorial Gardens, in Stockbridge.