Mary Sue Batastini

Mary Sue Batastini, age 90, resident of Columbus, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, June 12, 2023. Funeral services are scheduled at the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home, 4048 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia on Thursday, June 15, 2023, 12 noon, with Reverend Jonathan Merritt officiating. Private interment will follow at Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service on Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 10am till 12noon.

Mrs. Batastini, daughter of the late Grover Cleveland Eldridge and Christine Burleson Eldridge, was born December 24, 1932 in Cottondale, Florida. She was a longtime member of Edgewood Baptist Church and Circle of Love Sunday School Class. Mrs. Batastini was retired from Suntrust Bank where she faithfully worked for over 57 years. She was also very active with Valley Rescue Mission for several years, serving on the Board of Directors. Mrs. Batastini was a part of the “Sanctified Six Sisters” and volunteered numerous hours at St. Francis Hospital. Many times, people would see her tending her garden at home, especially her rose garden. They would also comment that she is sometimes like a teenage girl, having long telephone conversations with her friends. Mrs. Batastini loved to cook for her family and friends, enjoyed reading, and watching television game shows, particularly the series “Heartland.” One of her favorite things to do was spending quality time with her family at their beach condo.

The family remembers Mrs. Batastini as an eloquent southern lady, loving God and family, and a true example of loyalty and commitment.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Claude Augustus Batastini, a sister, Melba Scroggins and a grandson, Robert Augustus “Rob” Daniel. Mrs. Batastini is survived by one daughter, Linda Healey and her husband Mike of Ponte Vedra, Florida; two sisters, Mellie Fountain of Columbus, Georgia and Betty Fishner of Atlanta, Georgia; three grandchildren, Gina Lyn Daniel, Shannon Healey, and Daniel Healey; one great-granddaughter, Dyana Lee-Daniel; one great-grandson, Shawn Esfahani; two nieces, Sara Crippen and Suzanne Wade; five nephews, Allen Scroggins, Joey Scroggins, Wes Griffin, Greg Fishner, and Barry Fishner; many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Valley Rescue Mission at www.valleyrescuemission.org.