January 7, 2026, 85, Goldsboro – Joseph Harold Batten, Jr. was born in Johnston County to the late Joseph Harold Batten & Nettie Agnes Aycock Batten, second born of 5 children and only son. He was a 1958 graduate of Goldsboro High School and attended NC State University. A builder & contractor by trade, he was employed with JH Batten, Design Builders in Walkertown, NC.
He was a dedicated member of Emmaus Baptist Church in Dudley, NC for the past 19 years where he faithfully served as a Deacon & mentor, sang with the men’s quartet & served his Lord in any way possible. As a Gideon, he loved to distribute bibles. In 2011, he was a part of the church mission trip to Montana.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday January 11th at Emmaus Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Willoughby officiating Burial will follow in Wayne Memorial Park. The family will be receiving friends at Shumate Faulk Funeral Home on Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 4-6 PM.
Harold is survived by his wife, Pat Shumate Faulk Batten; children, David Batten of Stokesdale, Keith Batten (Teena) of Advance, & Dana Batten Reynolds (Ray) of Walkertown; grandchildren, Justin (Ashley), Cara (Thomas), Alley (Zach), Tanner, Tyler, Parker, Seth (Lora), Caleb (Sarah), Hannah (Caleb), Abi; great grandchildren, Bella, Rivers, Bowman, Joseph, Lizzie, Lily, Graeme, Corbin; 3 sisters, Janice (Willie) Horne, Evelyn (Jimmy) Martin, Joy (Mac) Allen. He is also survived by 3 bonus children, Ven (Ashley) Faulk, Suzanne Faulk, & Philip Faulk; bonus grandchildren, Savanna, Wilson, Madison, Patricia, Emma, James, Julia, Susannah, & Jackson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Golda Batten Steele & a great grandson, Samuel Ray Reynolds.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Emmaus Baptist Church, 714 Emmaus Church Road, Dudley, NC 28333
Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Batten Family and online condolences may be sent via www.shumate-faulk.com
