ROCKY MOUNT - James “Sonny” Speight Batts, Lt. Col. USAF, ret., 79, passed away Friday, May 30, 2014. He was born May 19, 1935 in Nash County to the late John David and Bertha Davis Batts.  He was preceded in death by his parents and also his siblings John David “JD” Batts, Jr., Charles Bennett “Bud” Batts, Evelyn Caroll “Sis” Batts Rhea, Harvey Talmadge “Tab” Batts, Chester Morris “Sambo” Batts, and Mickey Donald Batts.
Survivors include his wife, Clara Gilbert Batts, four daughters; Kimberly Batts Riddick, and husband, Woody of Rocky Mount, Cynthia Batts Tyler of Rocky Mount, Amanda Batts Wood, and husband, Robbie, of Denton, Jamie Batts Langley and wife, Lori Paschall of Wilson, one sister, Jeanette Bloodworth of Rocky Mount, 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren;           
Funeral services were Tuesday, June 3, 2014 in the Chapel of Cornerstone Funeral Home. Burial followed at Mill Branch Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to VFW Post 2057.
Arrangements by Cornerstone Funeral Home and Cremations, Nashville.