Mr. Leonard "Bat Man" Batts

Leonard Batts, affectionately known to most as “Batman”, passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at The Laurels in Mt. Pleasant, MI at the age of 79 years. He was born the sixth of ten children to McElroy and Mary (Pollock) Batts in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Leonard joined the United States Airforce in 1955 at the age of 17 years old, just days after graduating from Hopewell High School. And, for those who may have wondered, it was his fellow serve men that immediately started to call him “Batman”, a name that would go before him throughout his life. Leonard was honorably discharged in 1959 after faithfully serving his country as part of the newly desegregated military, first united on the eve of the Korean War. In 1959 Leonard stopped in Saginaw, MI to visit his sister, Lessie Lyons on his way to start his civilian life in California. Upon taking her advice to look for work in Saginaw, he started working for General Motors Malleable Iron Plant where he quickly rose to the rank of Foreman and later retried in 1988 after 30 years of service and leadership. “Batman” was an avid sportsman. He loved fishing, golfing and especially bowling. He excelled at each sport that he loved and he was part of Saginaw’s bowling elite having played the game at its highest level for decades. Batman rolled nine (9) perfect 300 games by the time he was inducted into the Saginaw Bowling Hall of Fame in 2010. Leonard walked through life with stature, kindness and a quick wit that garnered many friends that he shared a life-long love of the game of bowling and most important, the game of life. Leonard married Irene Matthews in 1971 and the union continued for 46 years until the time of his passing. Mr. Batts leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Irene Batts; two daughters and two sons, Helen Michelle Thomas, Saginaw, MI, DeLesslyn Singleton, Muskegon, MI, Jeremiah Batts, Nashville, TN and Leonard R. (Shonda) Batts, Indianapolis, MI; six grandchildren, Elijah D. (Lakeisha) Thomas, Saginaw, MI, Shaunta M. (Lorman) Heilig, Westland, MI, De’Mar Jovan Singleton, Los Angeles, CA, Kamarion, Rhyan and Zayadrian Batts all of Saginaw; six great-grandchildren, Stephon Davis, Christopher (Charnece) Harris, Kevonte Moore, Enijah and Elijah Thomas and Christopher M. Harris all of Saginaw, MI; one sister, Lessie M. Batts-Lyons, Saginaw; three brothers, Bennie R. (Betty) and William Batts both of Saginaw, MI and Norman W. (Rita) Batts, Philadelphia, MS; brothers-and sisters-in-law, Onius (Ada) Matthews, Bernice (Joe) Brooks, Velvia (Charlie) Monroe, Selvia Holmes, Joe, Eugene (Glenda), Maurice (Faye) Bobby (Rose) and Zebedee (Tammy) and Allen Kelly and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including special friends, Clinzo O’Daniels, Clarence “Snow” Frazier and Teal Curry. Leonard was preceded in death by his father, McElroy Batts; mother, Mary Inez (Pollock) Batts; two sisters, Ruby Drake and Maxine Moore; three brothers, Lee D., Billy W. and James C. Batts; two sisters-in-law, Geneva Rutherford and Myra Robinson; brother-in-law, Myron Kelly, brother-in-law and special friend, Virgil Lyons. Funeral service will take place 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at World Outreach Campus, 2405 Bay Road. Pastor Hurley J. Coleman, Jr., Host Pastor. Pastor Roy L. Manning will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 South Washington Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607 on Monday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Family will be present to greet friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Mr. Leonard "Bat Man" Batts

November 22, 1938 - April 14, 2018