Katherine "Kathy" Downing Batson

KATHY BATSON - Katherine Downing "Kathy" Batson, age 82, of Columbus, MS, passed away March 28, 2023, at Trinity Rehab Facility.  A memorial service will be Friday, March 31, 2023, at 1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jimmy Criddle and Rev. Anne Russell Bradley officiating.  Visitation will be from noon until 1 p.m. in “Carolyn's Room” of First United Methodist Church.  Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Batson was born August 8, 1940, in Laurel, MS, to the late James Young and Katherine Lee Downing.  She was a graduate of George S. Gardner High School in Laurel, Mississippi and the University of Mississippi.  While at the University of Mississippi, she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority.  Kathy met her husband, Mike, while attending the University of Mississippi. Mrs. Batson was a retired teacher and member of First United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Ivy Bible Class and church Circle.  Kathy was a life member of Columbus Junior Auxiliary.  She was also a charter member of Belle Fleur Garden Club.  Her greatest joys were her family and grandchildren, who fondly called her “Katchie”.  The words heard most about Kathy were what a gift she was to her friends and how sweet and kind she was to all that she met.  Her kind and gentle spirit will certainly remain with us all.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, James Downing and Lee Downing.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. Frank O. "Mike" Batson, Jr. of Columbus, MS, daughters, Megan Batson Sipes and her husband Jim of Charleston, SC, and Allyson Batson Amos and her husband Marc of Columbus, MS, and grandchildren, Sloan Amos, Mallory Amos, and Abby Amos.  Mrs. Batson is also survived by nieces Amanda Arender, Melissa Sullivan, Mischa Marlowe, and nephews Lee Downing and Rusty Gross.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, or to the donor's favorite charity.