June 24, 2024, 86, Goldsboro —
Ramon Cecil Batts, Jr., 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 24, 2024, at his home surrounded by family. Ray was born in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Ramon Cecil Batts, Sr., and Chloe Greene Batts on November 19, 1937. Growing up, Ray was industrious at an early age holding several jobs as a youngster including Krispy Kreme delivery boy, paperboy, dairy farmhand, and cotton picker. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Ray proudly served his country as a Meteorologist in the Air Weather Service (MAC) providing worldwide weather reporting, forecasting, and reconnaissance for both the Army and Air Force. Ray was stationed and had special assignments at several bases including overseas locations in Germany, France, Greenland, Panama, and Brazil. He retired with full military honors.
Ray believed family always came first. He wanted to make sure all his family was loved and cared for, and this was especially true for his wife, Mary. To many, Ray was known as a general agent with Franklin Life Insurance Company. He not only provided families with insurance and financial products, but he also planted seeds of guidance, wisdom, and empathy for many years as an Instructor at Wayne Community College. Ray was a man of his word, and that spoke volumes in his life. He was well respected and a mentor to more than he even realized. He was simply being Ray, and that was enough.
As an active member of his community, Ray was a member of the Goldsboro Elks Lodge #134 B.P.O.E., past president of the Adamsville Lions Club, past president of the Circle K Kiwanis Club, past Chapter Chairman of the American Red Cross, past Precinct Chairman for the Wayne County Board of Elections, member of the Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee and Wayne County Committee of 100, and past Chairman and Board member for many years with Goldsboro Crimestoppers. Ray was also proud to be distinguished as a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner.
No formal services will be held.
Ray is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Rowland Batts; sons, Ray Batts and wife, Kim and Bill Batts and wife, Wendi; grandchildren, Ryan Batts and wife Diana, Raychel Batts Panton and husband, Asher, Krystal Cooper, and Madison Batts; and great-grandchildren, Landon Batts, Olivia Batts, Jack Panton, Ava Cooper, and Ethan Cooper. Ray is also survived by two nieces, Cheryl Schang Lee, and Jackie Rogers Bagwell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy Batts, a sister Beverly Batts Schang, and a brother Ken Batts.
The family would like to offer thanks and gratitude to Julie Holskey, Sonya Mozingo, and Julie Williams who provided home comfort and care. Additional thanks and gratitude to the staff of CenterWell Home Health and Gentiva Hospice.
Continuing with Ray’s belief in the mission of the Red Cross, contributing over 16 gallons of blood in his lifetime, memorials may be given to the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 600 N. George Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
