NIGEL SCOTT ALEXANDER BATTS

Nigel Scott Alexander Batts was born on Feb. 11, 1998, in Sumter, a son of the Rev. Joseph Watkins Jr. and Bettina Catherina Batts. He departed this life on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, Sumter.

Nigel was taken in and raised by Mother Mary (Ballard) Ragins since the day he was born. She took him as her own and he loved her with all his heart. As a youth, Nigel grew up in the Kolb Road and Wedgefield area of Sumter County. He was educated in the Sumter County public school system. Nigel and his father joined Antioch UME Church, Rimini, when he was 15 years old. At the age of 16, Nigel went to stay with his father, the Rev. Watkins, and stepmother, Lakeanya Durant, in the Dixie Drive community of the city of Sumter.

Nigel leaves to cherish memory: his father, the Rev. Joseph (Lakeanya) Watkins Jr., and mother, Bettina Catherine Batts; four sisters, Karima Ballard, Engracia Ballard, Arianna King and Alexus (Quincy) Lonnon-Addison; two brothers, Itica Batts and Josiah Elijah Watkins; maternal grandmother, Dorene Batts; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends that will miss him dearly.

In accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines, the family is requesting that face masks and social distancing be observed by relatives and friends during visitations at the home, 1105 Waterway Drive, Sumter.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. Cheryl Gadson presiding and Elder Barry Gadson, eulogist.

The procession will leave from the home at 1:50 p.m.

Burial will be at Brown Chapel UME Church Cemetery, Pinewood.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com. Visit us on the web at www.WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.