Shirley Faye Baty

Shirley Faye Baty

God was walking in his garden, one he made with his own hands, searching for a lovely flower, young or old throughout the land. In Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, he walked still searching for a lovely full-grown flower, pausing here he found one ready to be taken at that hour.

On Thursday, November 6, 1941, in Muskogee, Oklahoma a baby girl was born to Gus and Matilda Carreathers, she was the youngest of eight children. They named her Shirley Faye. Shirley attended Dunbar Elementary and Manual Training High School in Muskogee, Oklahoma. After relocating to Albuquerque, New Mexico as a teenager, she graduated from Albuquerque High School 1960.

Shirley accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized by Pastor F.R. Roberts into the membership of Jerusalem Baptist Church in Muskogee, Oklahoma. As she grew in Christ, she realized that her passion was working with children. Through her commitment to Christ, she served youth in many capacities. Some of her service includes, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Director, Guest Soloist, Youth Director, and Play and Events coordinator. She was also a member of the Women's Ministry and Seniors Ministry at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Albuquerque. Her service went on to include being the Assistant Director of the Baptist Neighborhood Center where many youths were brought to Christ.

Shirley also had various occupations including owning and operating Aunt Shirley's Daycare Center, where she provided strong early childhood foundations for countless children in the Albuquerque community. She was employed by New Mexico State University Extension Program as a nutrition specialist.

Shirley served her community as a baby cuddler at Presbyterian Hospital, a volunteer at Roadrunner Food Bank, and a foster grandparent at local elementary schools. For over 60 years she lived in the Kirtland Neighborhood and was a member of the Kirtland Community Association.

Her greatest love, besides her love for Christ, was family. She was united in marriage on Friday, June 9, 1961, to Mr. Elmer Lee Baty from Clarksville, Texas who proceeds her in death. To this union, four children were produced. As a wife, she was faithful and true, as a sister she was a best friend, as a mother she exemplified Psalms 127:3B that reads: "Children are a reward from God," she added her own scripture that said, "Grandchildren were a greater reward." She was an adopted grandmother to many in the Albuquerque Community.

She departed this life on Friday, September 17, 2021. She leaves to honor her memory: Marcie Annette Battle (husband, Bruce Battle), Elmer Vincent Baty (wife, Rayetta Baty), Jewel Michelle Washington (husband, Dwight Washington), and Meloney Trinette Baty.

Her pride and joy were her nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Jonathan Isaac Washington (wife, Ariel Washington), Marcus Lamar Washington, Amber Selene Battle, Jasmine Cathleen Washington, Michael Vincent Baty, Tatyana Simone Battle, Ebony Jewel Baty, Charles Anthony Baty, and Bruce Dion Battle (wife, Camille Battle), great-grandson, Dion Bruce Battle; and her loving sister, Barbara Williams. She also leaves a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and six siblings, Jewel Carreathers, Harvey Carreathers, Dorothy Hill, Ruby Carreathers, Lonnie Carreathers, and Johnny Carreathers.

Shirley was truly loved.