Celebrating The Life of Sister Mertie Naomi Harris Batey, February 3, 1928- September 28, 2005, Friday, September 30, 2005, 9:00 a.m., St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 402 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603, Reverend Gregory L. Edmond, Officiating

tfo 'ITtose I Love anartnose Wlio LO'Vea:Me
Wlien I am gone, refease me, fet m~ go, I nave so many tliings to see anaao.
tYou mustn't tie yourself to me witli tears, CBe liappy tliat we liaa so many years.
I gave you my Cove, you can on{y guess liow mucli you gave me in liappiness. I tlianR..you for tlie Cove eacli ofyou liave sliown.
CBut now it's time I must traveCon aCone.
So grieve a wliife, ifgrieve you must, rz1ien fet yourgrief6e comfortea 6y trust
So 6fess tlie memories witliin your lieart.
I won't 6efar away, for Cife goes on, so ifyou nedme, ca{{aniI wi{{come.
rz1iougli you can't see or toucli me, ]'{{ 6e near,
)lni, ifyou Cisten witliin your lieart, you'{{liear amy Cove arounayou, soft anacfear.
)Inatlien, wlien you must come tliis way aCone, ]'{{greet you witli a smife ana ')I MLCO~~ J{O~P.. II

Celebrating The Life

Of
Sister :Mertie Naomi Jfarris (}Jatey

Pe6ruary 3, 1928

Septem6er 28, 2005

Torree Bright Khiry Bright

~ a>a{{(Bearers 03
Cameron Batey William Taylor, Jr. Robert Taylor Rodger Taylor, Jr.

Richard Taylor

Jamie Michelle Batey Mary Taylor

~ Pfora{(Bearers 03
Deborah Taylor Countess Taylor

Karen Taylor

~ .ft.c{nowfedgement 03
The family wishes to thank the church, friends and neighbors for the many prayers, flowers and cards ofcondolence. May Godforever bless each ofyou.

~.ft.n"angements 03
HAYWOOD FUNERAL HOME, INC.
2415 South Wilmington Street Raleigh, North Carolina

Friday, September30, 2005 9:00a.m.
ST. PAUL A.M.E. CHURCH
402 West Edenton Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
Reverend Gregory L. Edmond Officiating

A Celebration of Life
"To everything there is a season; A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant; and a time Jo pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break .down, and a time to build up, a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. " Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
God smiled late on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 and plucked from His heavenly garden at Rex Hospital Mertie Harris Batey, daughter of Casuin and Mary Harris.
Mertie was born on February 3, 1928 in Decatur, Alabama. At an early age the family moved to Dayton, Ohio where she received her elementary and high school education. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Social Administration from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. She loved to learn and continued her education with further studies at the University of Minnesota, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, East Carolina University and the University of Michigan.
After completing her undergraduate degree Mertie worked at Wright Patterson Airfield in Dayton, Ohio. After moving to Raleigh she was employed as Director of Tuttle Community Center for numerous years and touched the lives of many of Wake County's youth. With a background in Social Work, her desire to help those with special needs lead her to a long and lustrous career at the Governor Morehead School for the blind. She became one of two teachers to integrate the school. She was an exceptional Braille and sign reader and was dedicated to her students. One of her greatest achievements was making a difference in the lives of children.
Mertie made outstanding contributions to the community. She was an active member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church for over 50 years working diligently whenever she was called on. She was also active and involved in her beloved sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. until her declining health limited her participation. She assumed many leadership roles in her sorority most notably Basseilus, Chairman of the Debutante Ball, and Co-Chairman of the Building Committee. She was also a member of the Raleigh Bridge Couple Club, Strengthening the Black Family, NEA, North Carolina Visually Impaired, Chums, Jack and Jill of America and numerous others. She served in leadership roles in many of these organizations. She was dedicated to her work with Friends of Black Children. She felt a diring need to help find homes for African American children looking for foster or permanent placement. She was an avid bridge player and golfer. She lived life to the fullest. She loved her family unconditionally. She was happiest serving others.
Left to cherish her memory is her loving and devoted husband of 55 years M. Grant Batey, Sr.; her supportive and caring daughter, Pamela Bright (Bemell); dedicated sons, M. Grant (Marty} Batey, Jr. (Renee) of Norfolk, VA and Daryl Batey (Melba) of Lilburn, GA; one sister, Maceola Johnetta Taylor (Dr. Rodger Taylor, deceased); and one brother-in-law, William Taylor, Jr. (Vivian Taylor, sister deceased) of Dayton, Ohio; four grandchildren whom she loved dearly, Jamie Batey, Torree Bright, Khiry Bright and Cameron Batey. Mertie had a special bond with all her nieces and nephews, and many caring and thoughtful :friends who supported her during her illness especially Mrs. Irene Lane and Mrs. Minnie Peace Williams.
Her determination and endurance during the time of her illness will be remembered and treasured. The family would like to thank her doctors, caregivers Myrtle Hall and Trina Daniels, and the Hospices of Cary and Wake County.
"I have fought a goodfight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown ofrighteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. " II Timothy 4:7-8

tv Order ofSenJice C!8

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE: OLD TESTAMENT: Psalm 23 NEW TESTAMENT: John 14:1-6

MUSIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OBITUARY (Silent Reading)

Mrs. Amber Barnes
The Family: Irene Lane Arturer Ritter

SOLO EULOGY RECESSIONAL

"Wind Beneath My Wings"

Mrs. Amber Barnes Rev. Gregory L. Edmond

cv Interment crJ
Carolina Biblical Gardens Raleigh, North Carolina