Retired Alabama Pastor Ray H. Batemon died Sept. 14. He was 79.
Batemon was born in Pleasant Grove on July 5, 1933.
He became a Christian at a revival service at Harmony Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove) and felt called to preach at a young age — he preached his first sermon in high school.
Batemon received a bachelor of arts degree from Mississippi College in 1956 and a master of divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., in 1961. He served as pastor of churches in Kentucky and Florida before serving as pastor of Rainbow City Baptist Church in Alabama.
While in ministry Batemon was heavily involved in disaster relief work. He was part of the initial team that crossed Alabama teaching chain saw skills and safety to disaster relief volunteers.
After his retirement Batemon served as interim pastor for 34 churches. He was a member of Twelfth Street Baptist Church, Gadsden, at the time of his death.
Batemon is survived by his wife of 53 years, Beverly; three children; and three grandchildren.
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