Robert Leon Battle

February 8, 1950 - September 25, 2012

Robert Leon Battle was born on February 8, 1950 to Frank and Selma Battle. He was the youngest of two children born to that union. Robert was preceded in death by his father, Frank Battle. Robert, to his friends, and Leon to his family graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended Fayetteville State University on a tennis scholarship. After leaving college and returning to Rocky Mount, he worked at Abbott Laboratories until he became disabled. His joys in life were playing his piano, cooking, and eating. Robert joined Friendship Baptist Church as a teenager under the leadership of Reverend Rand. After being apart from the church for a number of years, he came back to Friendship in 2000 under the Reverend Arthur Vicent. He attended and remained a member until he became ill. On September 24, 2012 at 3:25pm, the Lord called Leon home. He leaves to cherish his everlasting memories: mother, Selma Battle; one son, Rodney C. Battle both of Rocky Mount, NC; sister, Geraldine Edwards of Plano, TX; two nieces, Rashida L. McKnight (Christopher) of Dallas, TX, and Anitra V. Johnson (Aaron) of Plano, TX; one nephew, Rodney Hester (Geri) of Clarksville, TN; four great nieces; two great nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.