RUTH BATISTE

Ruth Elaine Singleton Batiste was born September 13, 1949 in Oklahoma City, OK to her loving father and doting mother. She was the eldest of four children.

When Elaine was 6 years old, her dad’s career took the family to Falls Church, VA. She spoke fondly of her memories in the Washington DC area. The cherry blossoms in spring and family activities under the cherry trees with national historical landmarks as a back drop were strong, wonderful memories for her and perhaps the foundational element of her fierce commitment to patriotism and the USA.

At the age of 10 years, she and the family moved to Lake Jackson, TX where she spent the remainder of her childhood. In high school she was in acapella choir and acted in several high school musicals over the years.

As a young adult Elaine moved to Dallas and got a job at “ma bell.” She was employed by the phone company for 43 years starting as a switchboard operator and winding her way through the organization as it merged with AT&T to the position of communication consultant supporting commercial accounts. She identified the telephone and data needs of her customers and deployed the right system to meet their specific demands. She had a perfect attendance record without a single unplanned absence.

Nobody was more fun than Elaine. She was often tough but also often hysterically funny in her approach to life and made so many good memories with her friends and family.

Elaine’s passion and zeal for her Lord and Savior was inspirational to so many. She was never shy about sharing her faith. She enjoyed equestrian activities and participated in several trail rides. She loved dogs and at one time had 8 dogs guarding her house. It was sometimes a little nerve racking getting from the car to her front door. She spent time supporting Native American veterans helping them navigate the process of requesting services to which they were entitled. She learned American Sign Language and supported the hard of hearing through her church translating the sermons into ASL. She sang with the Southwestern Bell Singers performing at nursing homes and some company events. She lived a full and interesting life.

She is preceded in death by her father, Harold Dean Singleton; her

mother, Daisy Daun Singleton Ksionda; and her brother, David Daniel Singleton.

She is survived by her son,

Oliver Michael Batiste, Jr., and his wife, Martha Montez, grandchildren Oliver Michael, III, Xavier Michael, Daissia Elayna and Kenneth James; her daughter Michelle Anne Batiste, grandchildren Marquisa and Precious, great-grandchildren Haley and Jasmine; sisters, Shar Smith (husband Butch) and Carol Williamson, her sister-in-law, Pauline Singleton along with many nieces and nephews.

Death doesn’t sting us because we know her spirit has stepped out of her body and into the heavenly realm of glory. 2nd Corinthians tells us “To be absent from the body is to be present with the savior.” What depth of peace that brings us. We do mourn her absence because we will miss her. We mourn for the vibrant, audacious, BOSSY, spicy lady that she was and how deeply she made us feel loved.

The hospice team in place to help Elaine was inspiring beyond words. Saluting with high esteem: Emily, Jessica, Stephanie, Onita and anyone accidentally overlooked. (Some got the sweet version of Elaine and some got the fiesty version of Elaine-but regardless, the level of care never wavered.) The level of support they provided was truly non-paralleled. If you feel moved to donate to this wonderful organization in Elaine’s memory please do so by checking out their site: vnatexas.org, scrolling down to “join us” and then to “donate now.”