Mr. Richard A. Battle Sr.

BATTLE, Mr. Richard A., Sr. – Age 57, was taken suddenly to his eternal home by his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, November 20, 2013. Celebration of Life 10a.m. Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 424 E. Kennelworth Ave. Dr. Rev. Major A. Stewart, officiating. Musical Celebration 6p.m. Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Lovedale Memorial Cemetery, G-5175 E. Bristol Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10a.m. Tuesday. Mr. Battle will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with visitation from 2p.m.-6p.m. Monday, the family will be present from 4p.m.-6pm. In lieu of flowers please make contributions In C/O Richard A. Battle, Sr.: to The Laura J. Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund ( for African American students to obtain music education at the Flint Institute of Music FIM) - Community Foundation of Greater Flint, 500 S. Saginaw St. Suite 200, Flint, MI 48502 (make checks payable to CFGF with The Laura J. Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund in the memo) or The Achieve the Dream Scholarship Fund (for scholarships for African American students at Mott Community College) - The Foundation for MCC, 1401 E. Court St., Flint, MI 48503 (make checks payable to The Foundation for MCC with The Achieve the Dream Scholarship Fund in the memo). Mr. Richard A. Battle, Sr. was born February 4, 1956 in Flint, Michigan, the only son of Willie Frank and Gladys (Vaughn) Battle. He attended Flint Community Schools, graduating from Flint Northern High School “Class of 1974”. He continued his education at Mott Community College, University of Michigan – Flint, Grand Canyon University and Capella University where he was currently pursuing his PhD in Adult Education. Richard accepted Christ at an early age. He began his music ministry at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. For more than 40 years, he was diligent in pursuing his calling through local churches including Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. He also shared his gifts and talents with various organizations within the Flint community and across the country. Richard was the former Musical Director at McCree Theater for such notable productions as “Fame”, “Arms Too Short to Box with God”, “The Wiz” and “Dreamgirls”. He served as Chapter Representative for the Gospel Music Workshop of America – Flint Chapter since 1988. Richard enjoyed cooking, gardening, carpentry and ballroom dancing. Mr. Richard A. Battle, Sr. leaves to cherish many memories: loving wife, Tonya (Jackson) Battle; children, Chantelle Wright, Taneka (Kelvin) Holtzclaw, Richard A. Battle, Jr., Brandon Jackson, Johnnie Person and LeQuin Williams; grandchildren, LaShayla and TaRon Rose; sisters, Willie Mae (Charles) Durham, Bonita (George) Smith, and Lynn (Eric) Williams, Special mothers, Betty Tipper and Margaret Jackson, Special father Dhul Yaqub, Special friends, Charles Watkins, Jr., Duane Benton, Phil Hairston, Eric Williams, Willie Anthony, Jr., Joyce Rubin, and Rev. Kenneth Gillard; aunts, uncles, a host of relatives and dear friends including special cousins, Min. Braxton Vaughn and Andrew Carson. Mr. Battle was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and Mother Macy Taylor. The Family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Dr. Rev. Major A. Stewart and Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church Family, Pastor Daniel Moore and the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Family, Emmanuel Cook, TaDaria Jackson and the Skander Dr. neighbors.

Mr. Richard A. Battle Sr.

February 4, 1956 - November 20, 2013