On October 3, 2022, we lost a top-notch man whose deep love and self-sacrifice were a true example of humanity and Christianity. Theodore “Ted” Ralph Batson, Sr. was born November 18, 1942, to James Lucian Batson, Sr. and Bertha Mae Cummings Batson in Steubenville, Ohio.  He was raised in Concord, Alabama, and attended Hueytown High School (class of 1961) where he lettered in football and track. He always looked up to his older brothers, James and Dorman. He loved the out of doors, hunting, and hanging out at the swimming hole.  He was afraid of public speaking, and that merit badge kept him from achieving Eagle Scout, yet he became a teacher, missionary, and pastor where he frequently spoke to large groups. His mother taught him that his body was the “Lord’s temple” and his father instilled in him the importance of education.

He attended Livingston State Teacher’s College, in Alabama, where he met his beloved “Annie Mae”. They were married on March 21, 1964, and he gained 13 new brothers and sisters. Together Anne and Ted pursued further education and started a family.  He received a Master of Education at the University of South Alabama and a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education at the University of Southern Mississippi.

On March 31, 1978, during a mission weekend at Eclectic United Methodist Church in Eclectic, Alabama, Ted and Anne were called to the mission field and, on September 1, 1978, they drove a school bus across the border into Honduras with their four children. They were instrumental in reestablishing Academia Los Pinares in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and served there for 10 years. In 1988, they transitioned to Camasca, Intibucá, Honduras. Six weeks later Ted was asked to return to Tegucigalpa to serve as Field Director of the World Gospel Mission ministries in Honduras, which he did for 5 years. Their short time in “the frontier” of Honduras led to lifelong friendships and ministries.

In 1992, Ted became Vice President of Academic Affairs at Vennard College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. In 1996, he joined Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, as a Curriculum Director. Ted thought outside the box and valued other perspectives. Over 26 years, he developed a wide variety of programs for nontraditional students in Education and Business.  Though a gifted leader and administrator, he was a teacher at heart and, when possible, returned to the classroom where he taught many mid-western and international students in both the Education and Business departments at IWU.

For the past 20 years Ted also served as the lay pastor at Woodlawn United Methodist Church in Somerset, Indiana. Together with Anne, this ministry, as did all the others, blessed them far more than they gave. A man who loved a project and always needed something to do, Ted taught his last class and preached his last sermon this August. Despite his many accomplishments, he always thought of himself as “little Teddy Batson from Piney Woods Alabama.” He spoke Spanish with an Alabama accent and had a saying for every occasion.

Life was not all work. He loved to spin a yarn, eat ice cream, and watch westerns and SEC football. His avocation was architecture.  He was a dreamer and an artist whose canvas was the house he built at 2004 South Valley Avenue in Marion, Indiana, a vision he achieved with the help of family and friends.

Ted was a truly kind, caring, and humble man. He really listened, always looked for the best in others, and had great compassion for those who are less fortunate.  Above all, Ted was a great man of deep love, faith, and integrity, who lived his life fully committed to the service of the Lord as a husband, father, teacher, missionary, pastor, and human being. His one great pride was his family.

Ted is predeceased by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judith Anne Parks Batson; his children, Theodore “Ted” Ralph Batson, Jr. (Ruth) of Zionsville, Indiana, Russell “Rusty” Dean Batson (Betsy) of Fairmount, West Virginia, David Troy Batson (Tyann) of Salem, Oregon, Tracie Renee Batson Pendergrast (Don) of Fairbanks, Alaska; his grandchildren, Kelsey Frizzell (Tony) and Mackenzie Batson, Anna Knight, Monica (Jun Sung), Lauren, Dean and Emma Batson, Charity, Lucian (Audrey), Seth, Emerson, Leighton, Ella, Theodore “Tru”, and Asher Batson, Hannah Summerfelt and Asa Pendergrast; and great- grandchildren, Clarissa, Riley, Amber, and Eden. In addition, he is survived by his brothers, James Lucian Batson, Jr. (Barbara) of Huntsville, Alabama, and Dorman Lee Batson (Kay) of Federal Way, Washington; his many in-laws and outlaws, nieces, and nephews; “hermanos en Cristo” throughout Honduras; and the many people who enriched his life.

As he always told us when we departed on a journey: Keep it between the ditches, Dad.

A memorial service will be held for Ted on October 22, 2022, at 3:00 pm at Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 151 N. 2nd St., Somerset, IN  46984 and on November 19, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Earnest United Methodist, 3417 Warrior River Road, Bessemer, AL 35023.

Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.

Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.