Hugh Norrell Battle

Hugh Norrell Battle, was born in Dothan, AL, on September 17, 1932. He was the oldest son of Ostell and Mozelle Battle. Hugh grew up on his family’s working farm in Dothan, AL, where his parents partnered with his grandparents. He attended Taylor, AL, elementary schools and Rehobeth High School, Dothan, AL. During his high school years, Hugh enjoyed working with the Dothan Eagle newspaper under the diversified education program and he was hired as the Promotion Manager following high school. He later talked about how much he enjoyed the years working with the newspaper as some of his fondest memories.

Hugh resigned this position with the newspaper to attend Howard College, now known as Samford University, in Birmingham, AL. Following college, Hugh felt the calling on his life to enter into the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY. He married the former Imogene Jackson of Ashford, AL, on March 20, 1955. He went on to serve in several college related ministries as Youth Pastor of Ensley Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL, and as the Music Director of the First Baptist Church, Aurora, IN. Following these college related positions, he became the Pastor at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, in Dothan, AL, and also served in Dothan at the Southside Baptist Church as Minister of Music & Youth. After he spent several years serving in various ministry positions, Hugh accepted a new staff position as the Minister of Music & Education at the First Baptist Church in Marianna, FL. After moving to Florida, he was offered several other positions in other Florida cities. He decided to relocate and became a staff Pastor at the North Central Baptist Church, in Gainesville, FL, as Minister of Music and later at the Parkview Baptist Church, Lake City, FL as Minister of Music.

As a result of a part-time position during his college years with the John Hancock Insurance Company, Hugh became interested in pursuing a career as a financial planner and life insurance agent. This career decision led him to become a bi-vocational Minister of Music part-time with several Gainesville, FL, area churches including Parkview Baptist Church and Westside Baptist Church and the Westside Chapel, in Lake City, FL.

The move into the insurance career allowed him the opportunity to reside in several places including Jacksonville, FL where he was appointed as leader over the agent sales training program in the New York Life Insurance Company’s Jacksonville office location. He achieved performance in his own career as an agent as well as being appointed an assistant management position with New York Life Insurance Company. Hugh was offered a promotional move to reside and work in the Home Office in New York City, which he declined in the best interest of his family. He told the story of standing in the middle of New York City and looking at all the tall buildings and lots of concrete surrounding him. Coming from his Alabama farm roots, he couldn’t think of raising his family in a city like New York, so he decided to remain in Florida. Hugh settled in Gainesville, FL, where he opened his own insurance agency, Battle & Associates Insurance. Hugh had a long-term, successful insurance career with New York Life Insurance Company, but he later left the company and became a general agent with Time Insurance Company. His own general agency employed several other staff agents, including his two daughters who worked alongside him in the agency for several years. Hugh retired from the insurance business and continued his part-time Music Ministry for many years until health issues began to interfere and he completely retired to enjoy time with his family. Hugh and

Imogene both came from very close families. Most of their vacations were spent visiting family and included a lot of family time with great food and fellowship.

Hugh was very dedicated to his family and he always made himself available to his daughters when they were growing up. He kept an office set up in their home where he could be more accessible to his family as needed. From rides to school, sports activities, doctors and dental appointments, he was a very involved father with his children. One of the things his daughters remember most is when they were sick, he would bring them home frozen slushes or other treats. He also loved to take his girls with him to his agency office or to the church office when he was working. He loved to go out to eat at local restaurants around town and the girls were usually along with him. He always had a love for a Burger King Whopper sandwich. His dedication carried over with his granddaughters and he held a special relationship with them as well during their lives. He would babysit the girls when they were very young and picked them up from school and dropped them off for activities. He also enjoyed spoiling them with treats of all kinds. His gentle and nurturing nature was one of his strongest attributes. If a family member, church member or friend needed him, he was always there for them.

Following retirement, Hugh and Imogene decided to relocate to Melrose, FL, to live closer to their grandchildren. Hugh and Imogene are members of Trinity Baptist Church, Keystone Heights, FL. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Imogene Jackson Battle; his younger brother, David Ostelle Battle, Sr., of Greensboro, NC; two daughters, Sonja Jean Battle (Kathy Clem) Gainesville, FL; Julia Battle Riviere (Beau Riviere), Melrose, FL; two granddaughters, Brittany Riviere, Melrose, FL, Brooke Riviere Orton (Dustin Orton), Keystone Heights, FL, and many extended family members who meant the world to him.

The family would like to express a most sincere thanks to all Hugh’s specialist physicians who showed him great compassion and provided wonderful care over many years; (Dr. Dillon, Dr. Stechmiller, Dr. Buel, Dr. Guidice-Teller, Dr. Croushore, Dr. Loyce Jones, Dr. Andrew Martin and his staff, and Dr. Manuel De La Puerta and his ARNP, Kathy). Hugh credited the Moffitt Cancer Center for excellent care in helping to control his CML for close to 22 years.

Crevasse's Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Battle Family.