Mark Batson

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” –Psalm 73:26

George Mark Batson, 57, of Waco, beloved husband, faithful father, and dear friend went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 3, 2011. A memorial service celebrating Mark’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, January 6th at Highland Baptist Church (3014 Maple Ave, Waco, TX) in the life center, followed by a reception to greet the family in the fellowship hall.

Mark was born on June 7th 1953 to George and Peggy Batson and grew up in Waco. He Graduated from University High School in 1971 and was accepted to Baylor University where he pursued a major in Theater and Education. Mark soon transferred to Oral Roberts University where he graduated with a degree in Education. He taught elementary school in several schools throughout Waco following his degree before managing a business called the Love Shop in Lake Jackson Texas with his wife Joanne, whom he met at Baylor and married in 1979. In 1983 Mark and Joanne left Lake Jackson to work at the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco. Both Mark and Joanne served as home parents at the Methodist Children’s Home for several years.

In 1985, Mark believed the Lord was calling him to open a business and left the children’s home. He wanted to design something new and unique for Christian gift stores and his vision lead him to open a wholesale Christian gift store called J-MAR. His creation of “name-notes” or individualized name cards characterized with a special verse became a huge success. Mark sold J-MAR in 1995 and moved several years later with his wife and children (Blake, Jordan, and Christen) to Lorena TX where they still live.

Mark possessed a thriving entrepreneurial spirit and opened several businesses throughout his life. He had a gift for cultivating and inspiring vision in people and leading them to achieve a certain goal. Mark was a man of deep and unwavering commitment and displayed this characteristic in the way he lead his businesses, his various church groups, and his family. He will always be remembered as a man who possessed a contagious joy and vitality of life, who was always true to his word, and who strove to be excellent in everything his hands found to do.

Family members who went to be with the Lord preceding Mark are his brother Michael and his father George. Mark is survived by his mother Peggy, his sister Suzy, his wife Joanne and his three kids Blake, Jordan, and Christen. The family would like to thank all those who have held them in their prayers and walked with them in giving aid and support through this difficult time. It has made a tremendous impact on the family. As Mark would say, “the one thing we have to do if we do nothing else is trust the Lord.”

Memorials can be made to Restoration Gateway by mail at
Restoration Gateway
4300 W. Waco Drive B2-314
Waco, TX 76701
Or online at www.restorationgateway.org

Memorial Service

1:30PM ,Thursday, January 6, 2011
Highland Baptist Church
3014 Maple Ave. Waco, TX 76707