Benjamin "Ben" Bert Batson

Benjamin “Ben” Bert Batson, age 86, of Fort Mill, South Carolina passed away peacefully on October 20, 2021 with his wife of 61 years, Sally, by his side. Ben was born in Bessemer, Alabama on February 20, 1935 to Lillie Alma Morton Batson and Eugene Lafayette Batson and was the youngest of eight children. He met Sally Ann Henslee of Attalla, AL while attending the University of Alabama, and they married on March 11, 1960. After earning his engineering degree, Ben began his career at NASA in Huntsville, AL and eventually transferred to the Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, FL working in Launch Support Engineering for the Saturn rocket series. In 1968 he decided to leave NASA and pursue his interest in business. Ben purchased a Radio Shack franchise in Lakeland, FL, where he was awarded the Leader’s Club, Radio Shack’s highest award at the store level. Ben ultimately went on to own three franchises in central Florida. Always looking for a new challenge, Ben decided to pursue a Certified Financial Planner license in 1982 and joined A.G. Edwards & Sons in Orlando, FL. In 1990 he was named Broker in Charge in Lake Mary, FL where he led a team of brokers until his retirement on June 30, 2000. After retirement Ben and Sally decided to move to be near some of their grandchildren and relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2004 and later Fort Mill, South Carolina in 2019. Ben’s passion for history, especially family history, found a treasure trove in the Charlotte area with his lineage to the Polk family. He delighted in visiting The Charlotte Museum of History and James K. Polk historic site as well as many other sites around the Charlotte area. He was an avid reader and was most happy when traveling with his wife, and spending time with his grandchildren and supporting them in their activities. Ben is survived by his wife, Sally Ann Henslee Batson, his four children Richard Craig Batson of Fort Mill, SC, Alan Henslee Batson (Michelle) of Orlando, FL, Jennifer Ellen Batson Eyth (Edward) of Savannah, GA, and Sharon Lynn Batson Pickens, of Charlotte, NC and seven grandchildren Michael Zachary Batson of Fort Mill, SC, Alexandra Katharine Batson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Emily Caroline Pickens of Atlanta, GA, Bruce Andrew Pickens III of Charlotte, NC, Aidan Benjamin Eyth of Savannah, GA, Batson Henslee Ellen Pickens of Charlotte, NC, and Colin Wilder Eyth of Savannah, GA. Ben is predeceased by his parents and seven siblings: Eugene Lafayette Batson Jr; Vera Nell Batson Prodgers; Doris Morton Batson; Betty Jo Batson Rish; Rachel Donald Batson Hutto; Laura Grace Batson Duke; and John Andrew Batson. A private visitation for the family will be held at Hankins Whittingdon on Monday, October 24, followed by a family graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery in Charlotte, NC. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The University of Alabama, College of Engineering, Scholarship Fund: https://give.ua.edu Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the Tribute Wall provided.