Mary Susan Evans Battles
February 21, 1956 — October 6, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mary Susan Evans Battles of McCalla, Alabama. She was united with our Lord and Savior on October 6, 2023. Susan was 67 years old.
She was born to Gerald and Mary Evans on February 21, 1956, in Bessemer, Alabama.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her granddaughter, Darby Kate Roberts. She is survived by her brother Jerry Evans (Tammy), Eddie Battles, and their children; Shea DiBenedetto (Jeremy), Matt Battles (Chris), Brittney Roberts (Jason), and Kayla Battles. She was lovingly known as “Nay Nay” to her grandchildren: Riley, Addyson, and Asher DiBenedetto; Will and Charlie Jane Roberts; and Birdee Battles.
Susan attended Bessemer’s school district until ninth grade, then transferred to Faith, located in the old General Hospital building. She was brought up at Second Baptist Church in Bessemer, Alabama.
Over the years Susan took up all sorts of trades, including fine jewelry sales and working for the United States Postal Service. Her true passion was for God’s creatures.
She worked for Dr. S. Allen Price, DVM at Vestridge Animal Clinic for nearly 30 years where she met so many wonderful friends and pets. She volunteered to help when Shelby County Humane Society started and was there at the start of Alabama Wildlife Center at Oak Mountain. Over the years, she fostered for several dog rescues. She loved the creatures that were considered in need or broken most of all. She fostered many orphaned baby animals. Over the years she took in many, many rescues as pets. Her pet goats had a special place in her heart though. Her happy place was walking them through the yard watching them feed and forage. Animals in need seemed to flock to her as if she was Snow White.
Some of Susan’s best years were spent at Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church (RMLBC). There she met so many wonderful friends and became an integral part of the RMLBC family. She was a faithful servant for the Lord and grateful that He placed her there. Her RMLBC family helped her get through many stormy seas. She dearly loved her church and made many great memories with her RMLBC family.
Susan had the warmest smile and never met a stranger. Her laugh was contagious and unmistakeable. Susan always put the needs of others before her own, and she had the most genuine, golden heart to give whatever she had to others. She enjoyed being outside and having a project or task to tackle from painting to gardening. She was an avid thrifter and knew a good deal when she saw one.
She especially loved finding those clearance rack plants and giving them a second chance, because they were “broken.”
Visitation is open to the public Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 11 AM to 12 PM at Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church at 6495 Rock Mountain Lake Road McCalla, AL 35111. Graveside to follow at Highland Memorial Gardens at 3115 18th Ave N
Bessemer, AL 35020.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of Susan for Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church so that they can continue to do the Lord’s work:
6495 Rock Mountain Lake Road McCalla, AL 35111
or give online at www.RMLBC.org
She was born to Gerald and Mary Evans on February 21, 1956, in Bessemer, Alabama.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her granddaughter, Darby Kate Roberts. She is survived by her brother Jerry Evans (Tammy), Eddie Battles, and their children; Shea DiBenedetto (Jeremy), Matt Battles (Chris), Brittney Roberts (Jason), and Kayla Battles. She was lovingly known as “Nay Nay” to her grandchildren: Riley, Addyson, and Asher DiBenedetto; Will and Charlie Jane Roberts; and Birdee Battles.
Susan attended Bessemer’s school district until ninth grade, then transferred to Faith, located in the old General Hospital building. She was brought up at Second Baptist Church in Bessemer, Alabama.
Over the years Susan took up all sorts of trades, including fine jewelry sales and working for the United States Postal Service. Her true passion was for God’s creatures.
She worked for Dr. S. Allen Price, DVM at Vestridge Animal Clinic for nearly 30 years where she met so many wonderful friends and pets. She volunteered to help when Shelby County Humane Society started and was there at the start of Alabama Wildlife Center at Oak Mountain. Over the years, she fostered for several dog rescues. She loved the creatures that were considered in need or broken most of all. She fostered many orphaned baby animals. Over the years she took in many, many rescues as pets. Her pet goats had a special place in her heart though. Her happy place was walking them through the yard watching them feed and forage. Animals in need seemed to flock to her as if she was Snow White.
Some of Susan’s best years were spent at Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church (RMLBC). There she met so many wonderful friends and became an integral part of the RMLBC family. She was a faithful servant for the Lord and grateful that He placed her there. Her RMLBC family helped her get through many stormy seas. She dearly loved her church and made many great memories with her RMLBC family.
Susan had the warmest smile and never met a stranger. Her laugh was contagious and unmistakeable. Susan always put the needs of others before her own, and she had the most genuine, golden heart to give whatever she had to others. She enjoyed being outside and having a project or task to tackle from painting to gardening. She was an avid thrifter and knew a good deal when she saw one.
She especially loved finding those clearance rack plants and giving them a second chance, because they were “broken.”
Visitation is open to the public Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 11 AM to 12 PM at Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church at 6495 Rock Mountain Lake Road McCalla, AL 35111. Graveside to follow at Highland Memorial Gardens at 3115 18th Ave N
Bessemer, AL 35020.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of Susan for Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church so that they can continue to do the Lord’s work:
6495 Rock Mountain Lake Road McCalla, AL 35111
or give online at www.RMLBC.org
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Susan Evans Battles, please visit our flower store.