Willie Donald “Snooky” Batts, age 78, died Monday, December 26, 2011 at Nash General Hospital.

He was born September 21, 1933, at Mill Branch in Nash County, the only child of W.R. “Dock” and Helen Burnette Batts.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Pridgen Batts of the home and her family, Uncle Fal and Aunt Butch Burnette of Murfreesboro and Aunt Linda Collins Burnette of Greenville.

A funeral service was held December 30, 2011 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Johnson Funerals and Cremations, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount with his friend and neighbor, Pastor Gary Wood, officiating.

The interment followed in the Rocky Mount Memorial Park.