Thomas "Tom" Batey, age 82, of Murfreesboro, TN, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 13, 2016. A native of the Rock Springs Community in Rutherford County he was preceded in death by his parents, James Taylor and Willie Ella Smartt Batey; daughter, Tonya Ellen Batey; grandson, Paul Thomas Batey; brothers, James Taylor Batey, Jr; George Batey; Dudley Batey and Marion Chinn; Lillard Batey and Harry Batey; and sisters, Pauline Rowland, and Mabel Blair.

Funeral services will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at North Boulevard Church of Christ. Brother David Young will officiate. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Batey is survived by his loving wife, Anne Francis Batey; son, Teb Batey and his wife Kari of Milton, TN; grandchildren, Houston, Kate and Taylor Beth Batey; and brothers, Bobby Batey of Smyrna, TN and Ben Batey and his wife Glenda of Morrison, TN.

Mr. Batey was a 1952 graduate of Smyrna High School. He was a proud veteran of the Korean War, having served in the United States Army. Mr. Batey was the founder and owner of Batey's Office Supply and Photo. He was a member of North Boulevard Church of Christ and was an Elder of the church for 36 years. Mr. Batey served 45 years on the Board of Trustees of Middle Tennessee Christian School. He was a founding director of the Bank of Murfreesboro. Mr. Batey served on many state and local charitable and community organizations throughout the years. He was also a life-long farmer.

Billy Francis, Bobby Francis, Eddie Puckett, Bob Schaffer, Tom Boyle, Brad Martin, Chris Self and Clay Shirley will serve as pallbearers. The past and present Elders of North Boulevard Church of Christ and the past and present Board of Trustees of Middle Tennessee Christian School will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Memorials in memory of Mr. Batey can be made to the Middle Tennessee Christian School.

Visitation will be Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at North Boulevard Church of Christ.