A Time to Be Born: James Wilbert Battle Sr. lovingly called “Bae-Bro” and “Uncle Po-Po,” was born January 5, 1938, in Huntsville, Alabama. He was the second born to the late Ira B. Battle and late Lela Nance Battle Jones. He spent the last twenty-five years of his life in retirement in Newnan, Georgia, fishing, gardening, traveling, and spending quality time with his wife and family.
A Lifetime of Faith: At an early age, James demonstrated a love for God and thus embarked on his spiritual journey at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Harvest, Alabama. Upon relocating to Ypsilanti, Michigan, he joined Metropolitan Baptist Church where he was actively involved in the activities of the church. While there, he received his call to the ministry and was licensed.
A Time to Labor: Reverend Battle worked for Ford Motor Company in Ypsilanti, Michigan from 1959-1969. He then spent four years at American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee while also working at Meharry Medical School in the Psychiatric Ward. Upon completing his studies, he was highly recommended by the Dean of Students, Dr. Powell, to travel to St. Paul, Minnesota as a candidate for Pastor at Mount Olivet Baptist Church in March of 1972. In June of that year, he was called as their pastor. On September 17, 1972, he was installed by Rev. Dr. Julius Scruggs. Battle immediately recognized the need for additional space in which to worship. Plans were then initiated to build a new church. The church purchased two acres of land, and the groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 28, 1973. Ultimately the Church building was dedicated in 1974. Reverend Battle involved the membership in the political growth and interest of the community and nation. He always encouraged his membership to vote.
A Time to Learn: Reverend Battle was educated in the Madison County Public School System where he graduated from Council Training High School in Normal, Alabama. There he was the captain of the basketball and football teams. He was also a graduate of The American Baptist College of Nashville, Tennessee, where he received his Bachelor of Arts. Dr. Battle also received a Masters of Divinity from Luther Seminary of St. Paul and a Doctorate of Ministry from the United Seminary in New Brighton, Minnesota.
A Time for Accomplishments: Reverend Battle was invited to be a part of a Public Policy Conference called by Reverend Jesse Jackson in Washington, DC on January 30, 1995. He was on the Advisory Board to the President of Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Along with other clergy, he organized the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March on the State Capital in Minnesota starting in 1970’s for several years and was instrumental in it becoming a holiday in the state of Minnesota. He was appointed by Governor Arne Carlson to be one of the commissioners for the Martin Luther King Celebration. He also played a role in organizing the Minnesota group that participated in The Million Man March. Dr. Battle was the President of the following organizations: The Black Ministerial Alliance, Minnesota State Baptist Convention, and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. He was also the co-chair of Sustainable Progress through Engaging Active Citizens (SPEAC.) Central Avenue was renamed to Reverend Dr. James W. Battle Sr. Avenue, from Dale Street to Western Avenue in May of 1998. He was the head of a group of minority investors to buy 94.5 miles of railroad which stretches across Minnesota from Norwood to Hanley Falls. When he moved to Newnan, GA, he organized Holy Trinity Baptist Church where we had a very active youth ministry, and a scholarship fund. He also purchased and opened a family owned dry cleaners.
A Time to Love: James and Elnora met in high school at Council Training. Their love story began there. They have been inseparable since. They have celebrated sixty-five years of togetherness. They supported each other in their endeavors and accomplishments. They never held back how they felt about each other or the love they had for one another. They always gave each other sound advice. Elnora has a void and emptiness in her heart that can never be filled.
A Time for Family: As a hands-on loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he always found time to support his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in their many activities and endeavors. He was ever-present throughout their lives attending their games, school functions and encouraging a legacy of Christian faith. He pushed education and encouraged them all to be the person that God created them to become. He was always interested in spiritual development and taught his family how to pray from a young age.
A Time to Mourn: James was married to Elnora Langford Battle and this union was blessed with three daughters and one son: Sandra Battle Thompson (Rufus, deceased), Leslie Battle, James W. Battle, Jr. (Tracy), and Janice L. Battle (Kevin). He has eleven grandchildren, James W. Battle III (Ashley), Kendrick Lewis, Rufus Christian Thompson, Janice Cook, Leslie Medina (Kevin), Solomon Battle, Lauren Cook, Lonnie Stevenson IV, Lani Stevenson, Jaylin Ball, and Elnora Stevenson. He also had seven great-grandchildren: James Battle IV, Makayla Battle, Xavier Battle, Viktor Battle, Mykah Cook, Aaron Medina, and Kevin Medina. He was preceded in death by his parents: Ira and Lela, his two sisters: Lucy Battle Tucker and Shirley Battle Woodard, and his brother Jerome Jones. He also leaves to mourn his brother Willie Battle (Johnnie), Sherry, (Jerome, deceased) three brothers-in law, five sisters in law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 13, 2023, at the Center Grove United Methodist Church (185 Plummer Road, Huntsville, AL 35806) with Pastor Ricky Sykes officiating. Interment will be in the Nance Cemetery in Huntsville, Alabama. Reverend Battle will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
The Battle family will receive guests from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, November 12, 2023, at the Royal Chapel of Memories.
