Thelma Lee Elizabeth Batts, 86, native and lifelong resident of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at Palatka Center for Rehabilitation and Healing. The daughter of Lee Miller, Sr. and Thelma (Bryant) Miller, she was born on Sunday, December 25, 1938. She was educated in the Putnam County School District and a 1956 graduate of Central Academy High School. She retired after 30 years of employment as custodian with the Putnam County School District at the former Beasley Middle School. Thelma was a lifelong member of Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church where she was active in Sunday School, choir ministry, and served as a church mother for many years. She enjoyed planting flowers, cooking, sewing, crocheting and watching westerns.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in eternal rest by her son, Lorenzo Batts, Sr.; brother, Robert Long, Sr.; nephew, Robert Long, Jr.

Thelma leaves to cherish her memories: devoted son, Larry Batts; 9 grandchildren, Johnny Batts, La'Untrice Batts, Shanetta (Ron) Glenn, Charlotte Batts, Jordan Batts, Jumaya Batts, Lorenzo Batts II, Henry Davis, LaToya (Tommy) Robinson; 17 great grandchildren; brothers, Lee (Frances) Miller, Jr., James (D'Arcy) Miller, Leonard (Jacqueline) Miller, Sr., Sylvester (Vickie) Miller; sisters, Juanita Session, Vernadene (James) Robinson, Mary Alice (Mario) Rivera, Bobbie Lee Johnson, Gloria Elaine Roberts; godsons, Rodney Carroll, Shawn Hanner, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, October 3 at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Homegoing Celebration will be 11 a.m., Saturday, October 4 at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Ave, Palatka. Rev. Karl N. Flagg, Senior Pastor is the eulogist. Interment will follow in Oak Hill West Cemetery.