Vernon Lee Batson, 65, of Oxford, died Nov. 17 at Abbey Hospice, Social Circle. Born in Green County in 1944, he was the son of the late Carl Lee Batson and Ruby Merritt Batson. He graduated from Greensboro High School in 1962 and attended North Georgia Technical School, Clarksville, for two years. He served his country in the United States Navy for four years and was stationed in Puerto Rico during the Vietnam War. In 1970, he married the former Barbara Johnson of Greensboro. For 34 years he worked as a communication technician for AT&T. Mr. Batson was a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and especially his family. He was preceded in death by brothers Travis Batson and Horace Batson.

Surviving are wife of 39 years Barbara Johnson Batson of Oxford; daughter Jennifer Sorrow and husband Kevin; sons Wade Batson and wife Jill, Aaron Batson and wife Leigh, Carl Batson and wife Sherry, all of Oxford; sisters Carol Batson Finch and husband Johnny of Greensboro, Marjorie Batson Ellenberg and husband Maner of Siloam; brother Donald Batson and wife Carol of Eatonton; grandchildren Aley Batson, Blake Batson, Claire Batson, Garrett Sorrow, Mason Sorrow, McKenna Sorrow, Samantha Batson; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Nov. 20, at McCommons chapel with Ray singleton officiating. Interment will follow at Walker United Methodist Church Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Rodney Batson, Scott Batson, Keith Ellenberg, Pete Finch, Ceils Merritt and Allan Satterfield. The family requests that any memorials be made to Macedonia Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1357, Oxford, Ga. 30054. Sign the online guest register at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com.