Durwood Joseph Batchelor

Durwood Joseph Batchelor, 74, of Garner passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. Durwood was born in Onslow County, NC to the late Hallie Bingham Evans and Stacy Batchelor. Durwood grew up in Maysville, N.C. where he graduated from White Oak High School. He began his banking career after marrying his high school sweetheart Cora Faye Banks. They were active in First Baptist Church Maysville, where he served as a Deacon. A celebration of his life will be held at 12:00 PM Monday, October 11, 2021 at Aversboro Road Baptist Church, 1600 Aversboro Road, Garner. Visitation will be 4:00 – 6:00 PM Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Garner. Durwood grew up in Maysville, NC, where he graduated from White Oak High School. He began his banking career after marrying his high school sweetheart, Cora Faye Banks. They were active in First Baptist Church Maysville, where he served as a Deacon. He continued his banking career traveling to several cities in NC and then made their home in Garner, NC. It was there they chose to bring home and raise their daughter, Jennifer Rogers. In 1984, he began his career in the factory-built housing industry. He became the owner of Batchelor Supply, Inc. in 1990. Durwood retired in 2007 with many outstanding accomplishments, from serving on multiple bank boards, a Chamber and Civitan member, church committees, and many housing industry awards - the most prestigious from Oakwood Homes. Durwood received the James E. LaVasque Award in 2014. May 8, 2012 was proclaimed Durwood Batchelor Day by the town of Garner. None of the achievements ranked above his family. He is survived by his wife and childhood sweetheart, Kaye Batchelor; daughter, Jennifer Rogers (John) of Garner, NC; step-daughter, Kim Hatsell (John) of Mt. Olive, NC; step-son, Jay Carraway of Stella, NC; sisters, Ann Freeman (Randy) of Maysville, NC and Sudie Sullivan (Dennis) of Charleston, SC; grandchildren, Piper Hales and Jordan Rogers; and four step-grandchildren, Garrett Hatsell, Wyatt Hatsell, Brooke Carraway, and Trey Carraway. Durwood never met a stranger and had a smile that would light up a room. He had a strong Christian faith that never failed. It was his faith in God that made him the most genuine, humble and giving man of honor, with a true heart of gold! He will be greatly missed! He is preceded in death by his parents and wife, Cora Faye Banks. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 3131-100 RDU Center Dr. Morrisville, NC 27560 or Able to Serve 2100 Buffaloe Rd. Garner, NC 27529