of Conway, AR
March 18, 1995 - October 18, 2014
Anthony Joseph "Joe" Batchelor, 19, of Conway, passed away October 18, 2014. He was born in Little Rock on March 18, 1995 to Kenneth Lynn Batchelor and Celeste Bailey.
Joe was often called "the bear" and he was a big teddy bear. He was a gentle giant. He loved reading, especially Harry Potter. He had a love of history, woodworking, inventing and especially enjoyed all kinds of food he was a "joy to feed". He loved spending time with his family, friends and especially Kayla. He was patient and kind and loved his job at Conway Fitness Center Daycare working with all of the kids. He was easy going and hated any kind of discord, but watch-out when he did get angry! He always made sure the ones he loved knew he loved them he will be missed more than words can say!
He is survived by his mother and father, Celeste and Ray Bailey; sister, Sarah Bailey; brothers, James Batchelor and Ryan Bailey; the love of his life, Kayla Pruitt; great-grandmother, Lorene Wright; grandparents, Glenda Batchelor, Richard and Cecilia DeSalvo; godparents, Natalie and Gary Beck; aunts and uncles, Janie and Howard Yates, Ellen Johnston, Terri and Rick George, Laura and Ed Moore, Joelle and Todd Lowder, Jack Batchelor, Jim and Patsy Bailey, Frank and Martha Bailey, Bobby and Linda Bailey, and Danny Bailey; countless friends, cousins, and other loving family members.
He is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Lynn Batchelor; grandfather, Kenneth Batchelor and his aunt, Lorinda Heimer.
Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway with Father Robert Cigainero officiating. Entombment will follow in the St. Joseph Mausoleum. Serving as pallbearers will be his cousins, Richie Tanner, Kyle Johnston, Frankey Clayton, Nicholas Moore, Wade Beck, and Tyler Loughridge. Honorary Pallbearers are the St. Joseph Class of 2013. Rosary will be Tuesday evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. with visitation to follow at 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the St. Joseph Endowment, Teacher Appreciation Fund, P.O. Box 72, Conway, AR 72033.
As probably the oldest adult, non-traditional student at Lyon College, Joe and I shared a class together. He was the one young gentleman who frequently shyly offered to carry my heavy, wheeled book cart up a flight of stairs for me. I explained to him once how thankful I was, since I had several surgeries on a previously broken leg and he just blushed and smiled. He wouldn't take any thanks, but he always offered. A few times he even waited at the classroom door if it was raining and carried my book bag all the way across the campus for me. He was such a young, fine gentleman. Everytime I was tempted to despair of today's youth, this fine young man made me believe in them again. You raised a wonderful young man and I cried over his passing. Thank you, Joe, for being such a sweet young man to this adult student was older than enough to be your mom! Praying for your peace and strength at this time. Mary Anne Gunter; Lyon College
Celeste,
Prayers to you and your family ! May God comfort you and hold you close in his arms during this time. Your in our thoughts and prayers everyday !
With Love,
Lina Meti Sharp
Ray & Celeste, our hearts are broken over Joe's death. He was so generous in his time in tutoring. Also, we are so very grateful that he was Austin's Confirmation sponsor. We will never forget him and will always remember him in our prayers. With Deep sorrow and many tears,
Love, Joe & Debbie Baldwin
We were so sorry to hear about Joe. He was looked up to by so many Saint Joseph High School students. Joe made a positive difference in so many lives. He will be greatly missed. We are praying for your entire family during this very difficult time. In Sympathy, Danny, Merinda, Abby, and Daniel Lee Kordsmeier
Celeste,Ray and James-keeping you all lifted in prayer that God will give you peace,comfort and strength in your loss of Joe.Heaven now has another sweet angel!! Janet Freyburger Steele
I would like to express my sincere condolences to the loss of your loved one.In the scriptures Job 14:14,15 and John 5:28, God promises that he will resurrect our loved ones in the near future .I hope that Jehovah , the God of comfort grant you peace.
Celeste, my heart is breaking for you and the family. I know that God is the Great Comforter and that He will surround you with His perfect love in days to come as you ask for that grace. Lean on Him; He will never disappoint His children. I love you.
I am a distant cousin on the DeSalvo side of the family. While I never had the privilege of meeting Joe, I wanted to express my deepest condolences on his untimely passing. My prayers and thoughts are with the families.
I am very sorry for this. I grew so close to Joe in just one year of college. He was truly an amazing person. I can't express how much he will be missed. You are in my prayers.
You will be greatly missed! EMT class was always a blast and I enjoyed helping you with skills. You would have been an amazing EMT. I am glad I was able to help while I could. Your smile and personality will be unforgettable. To the family my heart aches for all of you! Joe had a heart like no other, RIP Sweet Joe!
Celeste: We want to extend our deepest sympathy over the loss of your beloved son. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Keep family close and lean on them for comfort. We will pray for you and keep Joe close to our hearts.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Celeste and family-I'm keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!
Celeste, James, and family,
We are so very sorry for the loss of Joe. We are thankful and blessed that we got to share a small part of his journey when he was young. We loved having Joe at the day care. We love you guys and will be continually praying for your family. All our love, Ms. K, Dorothy and Kalyn Reasons
I am so sorry for you loss! Me and my family will be praying for you and yours.
Celeste and family,
I am so sorry to read of your loss. I did not know your son, but I know how kind you were when I needed help for my son Scott many years ago. I cannot imagine the pain you must feel. I will have a Mass said for Joe at my church in NLR. God bless you and may he give you the peace in spirit that only He can give. Kathy
ray and celeste
our deepest sympathy for you and your family and all friends of Joe. Our prayers are for you that God will give you strength and heal your hearts.
"When they arrive at the gates of death, God welcomes those who love Him." Psalm 116:15.
May God comfort you all with His Holy Spirit as you wait for the day that you will see Joe again. You all are in our prayers.
We can't imagine what you are going through at this time. Just know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the Almighty Lord help you through all this.
Celeste, Ray, James & family: We continue to pray for you & ask God to wrap His arms around you & give you comfort & peace. I remember how my Josh loved teasing James & Joe at the Modern Woodmen dinners so many years ago. It seems like only yesterday. I'm sure Lynn was there to welcome Joe with open arms.
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Joe. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Celeste, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. We haven't seen your family for a lot of years, but we have fond memories of you and your boys. Praying God's peace and comfort for you during this time.
Celeste and family,may the angels in heaven surround you at this time for gods ways are not our ways and tears fill our eyes and only angels can see through our tears the wonderful young man Joe. Lance just said the other day Mom you know Joe he always had something funny to say. I knew by this he was a very special person.Our hearts go out to you and your family, Jesus will never forget those who love him, praying for you.
Celeste and family,
My heart is absolutely broken for all of you, I cannot say anything that will take the pain and loss away, please know that there are so many lives this young man touched and as we still mourn our precious Sophia we know she has now got Joe to help her watch over us all. All my love and prayers.
Regina DeSalvo
Celeste,
Even though we have not seen you or your family in years, we have often thought of you with love. Words cannot say how sorry we are. You are all in our hearts and prayers.
Barbara and Jimmy Teeter
I continue to pray for God's strength for the days ahead. Joe was such a blessing and ray of light for all who knew and loved him and left a positive impact on us all.
Tami, Ethan, and Mitchell Davis
So sorry for yall's loss. Praying for the family.
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.
Celeste and family, the St Joseph class of 2013, and to all those who knew Joe,
I only had the opportunity to be around Joe at St. Joseph events and I also remember a time when he came over for a swimming party at our home back in junior high. What I remember most is his smile, laugh and big heart.
I cannot imagine the heaviness in your hearts so it is my prayer that God will help you find peace and take comfort in the wonderful memories and joy he brought everyone.
Praying for all -
Deana (Henderson) Glenn - (Brooke Rittman's mom)
We are so sorry for your loss. There are no words at times like this. We will keep you in our prayers.
Celeste and Family, It has been many years since we've seen each other but I just wanted you to know that you and your family are in my prayers.. I pray that God gives you peace and comfort that only He can give...
Ray, Celeste, and family,
Know I love you all very much, and you are daily in my thoughts and prayers. I pray God will bless you all with His peace and healing, and give you the faith and strength you need in the days ahead. Hold onto to all of your precious memories, and all of the love and joy you shared with Joe. You now have a special angel to watch over you.
I am so sorry for all of your hurt. May God wrap his arms around each and every one of you and give you strength. Hold on to the wonderful memories that you have of Joe. He was such a great young man that always had a smile on his face and brightened the room he entered.
Kevin, Tonya, Garrett and Sawyer Moix
Celeste, James and family... We are very sadden to hear the news of the loss of Joe, ( "Sloppy Joe" )as the kids called him back at Ms. Kay's daycare years ago. He was such a great kid, and will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. You and your family are in our families thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Rickey, Georganna, Brittany and Taylor Barnett
We personally did not have the honor of getting to know your son, but through reading the guestbook and hearing from friends of ours, he sounds like he was the type of person to light up the room when it walked in. Our family will be praying for your family during this hard time. I hope that your family finds a little peace knowing GOD gained another angel.
So sorry for your loss,
Praying for you!
We are so sorry for your loss. It was an honor to meet him and participate in the Quiz Bowls with him. He will be greatly missed. Praying you will find comfort in God's embrace as He holds you in His heart.
Our prayers are with your family during this time of sorrow. It is our loss, but God has gained another angel in his kingdom.
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers.
Ray and Celeste, you are in our prayers. We love you so much. Joe was a beautiful person and had a big heart. He will be greatly missed.
Celeste,
We are so saddened to hear about Joe. It's been many years, but we have such fond memories of him. Praying for you and your family.
Celeste,
I have not seen you since high school and never had the pleasure of meeting your son. I am so very sorry for your loss. Your family is in my prayers.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My prayers to all of you.
May God help all of you through this sad time. May he give you the strength that will be needed in the days ahead. We are praying for all of you. RIP Joe.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers. So very sorry for your loss.
My son got to know "Mr Joe" through the Play Center at Conway Regional. He said Mr Joe was always more than willing to play basketball and just hang with him. My 8 year old adores him and will remember his lasting impression for years to come. Thank you for raising such a fine young man. We are praying for you and your loved ones.
God bless him. I only met him once to talk about his college. He was so smart and respectful. Praying for you Celeste and Ray.
Celeste, we were so heartbroken to hear the news. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers. Praying for God's comfort and peace.
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit". Psalm 34:18
Celeste,
I am praying for you and your family during this difficult! May God's peace and mercy be with you now and always!
Celeste and Family,
May GOD keep you and give you peace.
Rusty
Joe was an awesome person to be around, and he lighted up the room with his personality. He will be truly missed. Sorry for your loss.
Joe will be greatly missed by all of his co-workers & children at the gym. My deepest condolences to the family & his girlfriend Kayla. He spoke of all of you often.
I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for peace and comfort for you all. May God wrap his loving arms around you all.
Sherri Faver and Family
I missed you in class, Joe. It's not the same. Praying for peace for you and the loved ones you leave behind. God bless your sweet soul. You will be truly missed.
Joe was loved by all and will be missed more than words can say. We hope you are able to take some comfort in knowing how many tears have been shed with you and how many prayers are said for you.
We are so sorry for your loss. We did know Joe personally but we have heard awesome things about him. Please remember God is always at your side. Love you Celeste and family.
I'm going to miss you. You were very nice and funny to talk too. It was funny how we always talked about Mickey Mouse in class. It's going to be hard to sit at our table Tuesday nite. I'm glad I got to know you even if it was for a litte while. I could tell you were a very soft hearted person. I'm going to miss you.
I am so sorry for your loss, Celeste. I pray God gives you strength during this Difficult time.
So sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers.
Scott, Lisa, Morgan and Alli Grace
praying for family
Celeste,,, my heart is broken for you. I will send prayers up hoping that God will help you get through this.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. I knew Lynn and he was a wonderful father and he was so proud of his boys.
We watched Joe grow up at St Joe in our daughter Lexi's class. He was always such a kind and polite young man. He will surely be missed by all who knew him. May God's peace & comfort be with you. We are praying for you all.
Chuck and I were so saddened to hear of Joe's passing. We pray for comfort and peace for your family.
Our deepest sympathy to the Batchelor Family. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karla and Ricky Beene
Celeste and family, my sincere sympathy on the loss of Joe. My heart goes out to all of you and I will be praying for your comfort. Mary Ellen Kordsmeier-Mobbs
A sweet soul. Prayers for the family.
We are sorry for your loss and will be praying for you and your family.