Community activist, socialite, founder of the Indianapolis Recorder Women’s Auxiliary, and Recorder friend, Louise Terry Batties, went home to be with the Lord Sept. 26, 2014.
“Louise was a wonderful woman who not only had an incredible sense of fashion and could throw wonderful parties, but she was also extremely passionate about the education of youth,” said Shannon Williams, president and general manager of the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper.
“Mrs. Batties was a tremendous community servant who founded the Recorder Women’s Auxiliary. As the organization’s longtime president, she helped provide funds for hundreds of local minority students to go to college and worked hard to promote unity amongst all women. She will be deeply missed.”
A Hoosier by adoption, Louise came to Indianapolis with her family from Mississippi. The youngest child of Curtis and Mary Terry, she had two sisters, Vivian Terry Moore and Willa Mae Terry Radliffe, all deceased.
Batties earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University and Masters degree from Butler University. She pursued further graduate studies at the Divinity School of Chicago University, and completed two additional years of graduate study at Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis. In addition, she received an Honorary Doctorate from Butler University.
While an undergraduate Louise was initiated into the Kappa Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and served as president of the Kappa Chapter.
In her professional career, she served as the executive director of the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, and was a longtime teacher in the Indianapolis Public School system. Her dedication to the community paved Batties’ livelihood as an advocate for others emphasizing the importance of a child’s education.
“Teachers respond to intelligence and you later learn that professors respect students who challenge them,” said Batties, in a 2007 interview with the Recorder.
More than a challenge, Batties reiterated the importance of what she saw as proper guidance for each pupil she instructed at Arlington High School for more than 20 years. She lent her heart to the children she mentored in and out of the classroom.
Always an enthusiast for life, education, justice and creativity, Batties frequently captitalized on community service opportunities, such as hosting the annual Easter Parade for Tots, Tweens and Teens.
She was also an active member of University United Methodist Church, member of the Mayor’s Human Rights Commission, League of Women Voters, Metro Friends and a host of other organizations.
Louise was married to Dr. Paul A. Batties and they had one son, Dr. Paul Terry Batties.
A celebration of life will take place Oct. 4 at University United Methodist Church, 5959 Grandview Dr. Calling will be from 10 a.m. until noon. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will commence at noon and the funeral will begin immediately after.
Mrs. Louise Batties is survived by her son, Dr. Paul T. Batties; niece, Betty Jo Williams; nephews, George Dixon, Commissioner Mark D. Batties III, and Attorney Thomas L. Batties; great nieces, Carla D. Johnson, Shawn M. Batties, Robin L. Pritchett and Logan Batties; great nephews, Mark D. Batties IV, George Dixon III and Thomas L. Batties II, and a host of other relatives and friends. Final arrangements have been entrusted to Stuart Mortuary Inc.
