Cynthia Faye Leitzel Batdorf, age 85 of Mt. Juliet, TN, passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2023. A native of Millersburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late Clarence Elmer and Mary Virginia Snody Leitzel. Cynthia was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Lee Batdorf; brothers, Melvin, Warren, and Glenn Leitzel; sisters, Betz and Anna Mae Geyer; and sister-in-law, Shirley Batdorf Sgrignoli.
Cynthia centered her life around her faith, her church, and her family. She fell in love with Don Batdorf when they both played in the band at Millersburg High School. They married soon after he graduated from college. They had two children—Dawnelle and David. Don became the band director at Line Mountain High School, and Cynthia and the kids went on hundreds of trips near and far with the band. Then every summer, the family traveled across the U.S. to new destinations.
Cynthia drew her strength from her faith and her happy marriage. She was a lifelong member of Hebron United Methodist Church. For many years, she ran the children’s department, the youth department and taught adult Sunday School classes. She had a beautiful soprano voice and sang solos at weddings and football games. She was on the board of the church. She worked in the church kitchen and was president of the women’s group for many years. She was a culinary tour de force, making peanut-butter eggs for countless church bazaars and cherry crumb pies for family and friends. She was especially renowned for her homemade pot pie. She and Don traveled the world together until his death in 1997. Cynthia loved country music, Hallmark movies, and family gatherings.
Cynthia is survived by her daughter, Dawnelle Smith and her husband Tim of Mt. Juliet, TN; son, David Batdorf and his wife Christine of Yorktown, VA; sisters, Elva “Sis” Reigle (Paul) of Halifax, PA and Donna Gibson of Middletown, PA; grandchildren, Keith Smith (Priscilla) of Smyrna, TN, Laura Peura of Murfreesboro, TN, Candice Peterson (Andy) of Granbury, TX, Kristi Wilson and Nova Boyle, both of Yorktown, VA; great-grandchildren, Maddox Peura, Abishai Peterson, Sadie Smith, Dara Peterson, Piper Smith, Emmett Krill, Jacob Wilson, Kiptyn Smith and Presley Smith.
The funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the Hebron United Methodist Church in Millersburg, PA, with Pastor Melia Garrett officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday at the church prior to the service. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life will also be held at Living Springs Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, TN on Saturday, January 13 at 2:00 PM with receiving of friends from 1:00 PM until the service. Pastor Edgar Boles will be officiating.
The family is requesting that any memorial donations be made to Hebron United Methodist Church, 347 Market Street, Millersburg, PA 17061.
