Ella May Batt

Ella May Batt, the loving wife of Lelyn Batt and mother of Debbie Riddle, gained her angel wings in the early morning hours of March 22, 2024 with her daughter by her side.

Born May 2, 1931, in Ingersoll, Oklahoma, Ella May graduated Valedictorian of her class in 1949 and married the love of her life, Lelyn, on September 16, 1950. After moving to Liberal, Kansas, she worked at Duckevall’s for a short time before becoming a switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell in 1953, followed by a few years as a teller at First National Bank. Always a loyal, capable employee, Ella May retired after 22 years at Panhandle Eastern as a Key-Punch Operator in 1990.

Lelyn and Ella May joined the First Baptist Church of Liberal, Kansas in 1951 where Ella May shared her beautiful voice in the choir. The couple has held hands and loved life together for 74 years. They enjoyed traveling the United States in their R.V., visiting 43 states and following their grandson, Adam, throughout his collegiate baseball career. Those happy times in their R.V. are precious treasures.

However, their biggest treasure in life was their only child, Debbie. They moved to Abilene, Texas in the spring of 2015 to be near her.

Ella May also adored her grandsons, Aaron Riddle and Adam Riddle, and his wife, Lindsey, as well as her beautiful great-grandchildren, Joss and Hayes.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Matilda Weigand and her brothers, R.J., Julius, Marvin, and Norman Weigand. She is survived by her one sister, Virginia Harvey and brother, Emmanuel Weigand.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the wonderful caregivers, and to Hendrick Hospice Care, who blessed them with their loving compassion.

Visitation will be on Monday, March 25, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Graveside service will be at 11:00 am at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, 7457 W. Lake Road, followed by a memorial service at 12:30 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home.