Preacher Lewis Batchelor

Gaffney, SC - - Preacher Lewis Batchelor, 84, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, April 10, 2026 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home, following a battle with end-stage renal disease.

Lewis Batchelor was born on June 25, 1941 in Blacksburg, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Rufus Guy Batchelor and Dolly Louise Hall Batchelor.

He was a graduate of Blacksburg High School and Tennessee Temple College in 1968, where he felt a calling from God to start and plant churches, a mission he passionately dedicated his life to. His love for people and unwavering faith was evident to all who knew him. He was a United States Army Veteran. He founded Open Door Baptist Church, which was the first Independent Baptist Church in Cherokee County. Also, founded Trinity Baptist Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church both of Gaffney, South Carolina and Marantha Baptist Church in Shelby, North Carolina and Pastor of Stanley Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Newland, North Carolina, Temple Baptist Church in Manchester, Tennessee and Hilltop Baptist Church in Crab Orchard, West Virginia. Preacher Batchelor was a devoted Pastor for 60 years, leading many souls to Jesus and touching countless lives with his faith and compassion. Preacher Batchelor was the Pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Gaffney, South Carolina, until his illness, but he remained a cherished member of the church and loved his church family deeply.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 41 years, Elizabeth Joyce Cooksey Batchelor; his two sisters, Lib Plumley and Shirley Love; and his great-grandson, Jayce Sawyer Batchelor.

Those left to cherish his memory, include his three children, Michael Batchelor and wife, Kami of Spartanburg, South Carolina; Kellie Cox and husband, Randy of Daniels, West Virginia; and Karen Hunt and husband, Charles of Beckley, West Virginia.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren, John-Michael, Nathan, Caleb, Hannah, Eden, Jacob. Ethan, and Grace; and nine great-grandchildren, Zoey, Hudson, Stone, Bodie, Mason, Julia, Michelle, Charlotte, and Landon.

He is further survived by his sister, Dale Minton of Darlington, South Carolina; a special friend, Sandra Moss of Blacksburg, South Carolina; special caregivers, Mike Seals and Tina Smiley; and a special friend, Elizabeth Schmidt, who was like a daughter to him all these years.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the team at U.S. Renal for their compassionate care.

The family will receive friends from 6:00PM until 8:00PM on Friday, April 17, 2026 at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held at 12:00PM on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Tabernacle Baptist Church with Pastor Michael Batchelor, Reverend Don Sessions, Reverend Gary Gibson and Reverend Grady Gregory officiating. Private family interment with military honors will be held in Frederick Memorial Gardens. The family will have private viewing from 9:30AM until 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the church. Friends will be able to view from 10:30AM until 11:30AM at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Tabernacle Baptist Church, 200 Elm Street, Gaffney, SC, 29340.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons and Mike Seals, J.C. Humphries and Kevin Wray.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC