Dr. Kelly G. Batey died peacefully in Albany, Oregon, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. On May 25, 1979, Ann and Norman Batey welcomed Kelly and sister Leigha. Redeemer Lutheran Church in Paragould confirmed him on Palm Sunday 1993 after he was baptized on June 3, 1979.. … Dr. Kelly G. Batey died peacefully in Albany, Oregon, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. On May 25, 1979, Ann and Norman Batey welcomed Kelly and sister Leigha.
Redeemer Lutheran Church in Paragould confirmed him on Palm Sunday 1993 after his baptism on June 3, 1979. Kelly finished Ridgecrest High School in Paragould with honors in 1997. He played three years of American Legion baseball and excelled in childhood sports. Kelly won Williams Baptist University’s inaugural soccer scholarship to play. He coached soccer for one season after playing four years. He joined Pi Kappa Alpha and graduated from Williams with a biology degree in 2002. Drs. Herman L. Tacker, Gary G. Nance, and Bradley N. Hines of Memphis’ Optometry Group were his first employers. Their assistance was remembered. He worked for Dr. Angela Howell in Paragould after graduating from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis.
He married Dr. Stephanie N. Emmert in 2009 and opened Riverview Eyecare in Albany, Oregon, in 2011. Their efforts made it a thriving optometry practice. Olive and Lucy, two of the cutest and most loving dogs, live in Oregon with Stephanie’s family, Arlen, Cathie, Ben, Amanda, Cooper, Everly, Mary Ann, and Mable. Kelly played golf at Spring Hill, had weekend vacations to Bandon Dunes and other courses, attended the Masters and US Open, and followed the Razorbacks (hard to do in Oregon) as an adult. He also finished their home makeover and outdoor cooking project.
He and Stephanie enjoyed traveling to Disney World, Hawaii, Utah, Europe, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and other places. His grandparents, Irene and Mack Lewis, Emma Jean and Norman Cole, and uncle, Bill Lewis, died before Kelly. Kelly is survived by his wife, Dr. Stephanie Emmert; parents, Norman and Ann Batey; sister, Leigha (Shawn) Roleson; nieces, Brittian, Reese, and Micah; aunts and uncle, Mary Lewis and Rita and Tom Smalling; cousins, Jaime (Shannon) Freeman and Jacob (Nikki) Smalling; great nephews and nieces, Sam, Maggie, Emily, Tyler, and Logan (Savannah) Smalling; and many cousins and friends.
Redeemer Lutheran Church in Paragould will have a visitation from 11 AM-3 PM on Monday, June 5, 2023. Pastor Kirk Neugebauer will lead a 3 PM memorial service. Honorary pallbearers are Patrick Arthurs, Dr. Justin Beavers, Jake Bland, Jay Boone, Kris Boozer, Todd Boyd, Rick Braden, Brian Brightwell, Kayce Brown, Tim Brown, Kekoa Cox, Rusty Crafton, Ryan Denno, Ben Emmert, Casey Faulkner, Brandon Ferguson, Shannon Freeman, Brent S. Gambill, Steve Gambill, Trey Harding, Jeremy Heath, TJ Hedge, Dr. Bradley N. Hines, John Del Hollis, Jason Hood, Dr. Isaac Howard, Dr. Angela Howell, Kyle Jackson, Michael Legate, Sergio
