Cook County’s first African American Commissioner dies at 89

ADEL, Ga. (WALB) - Residents in Cook County are mourning the loss of a leader in their community.

Willie Batchelor, affectionately known as Coach Batchelor, passed away at 89 years old. He was the first African American County Commissioner in Cook County.

“My grandfather he has a really big heart, sorry... and one thing about him, he always gave back to anybody and sometimes it was a problem, and we’d be like “okay papa.”” says Batchelor’s granddaughter, Lauren Evans.

“He has always been that guy to serve the community. So, while he was daddy to me, he was also such an integral part to a lot of people in the community.” says Batchelor’s daughter, Stephani Evans.

Willie Batchelor held a lot of titles under his belt over the years - from Athlete, to Coach, to drivers Ed Teacher. He was the First African American County Commissioner, a member of the NAACP and the first African American to have a building named after him.

“Him being who he was, the community didn’t know if he had bad times sitting on the board, because he had that type of presence about him. He knew that when he was there, he was looking out for them - not just the African American Community because he touched a lot of lives both black and white.” Former Tax Assessor Tammy Keeley-Wright says.

“He wasn’t just a hero of the Word; he was a doer of the word. So, he was always involved and active and just wanted to be present. He was always a good listener - always wanted to make sure people were seen as well as heard.” Stephanie Evans says.

Coach Batchelor was a proud Savannah State University Alumni.

“He had one of his students to eventually go on and play in the NFL.” says Stephanie Evans.

“A lot of people believe that celebrities and athletes come from the city, but here in SGA, we have examples like Coach Batchelor that prove that you don’t have to be from a huge or a large city, you can be from a small town, and your athleticism and your talents will prove themselves, if you believe in yourself.” Funeral Director of McGhee Funeral Home, Delphanie McGhee.

Visitation is Friday, 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. at the Family Life Center in Adel. There will be no viewing at the funeral service on Saturday.

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the Adel Church of God Family Life Center in Adel, Georgia. Entombment follows at the McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens in Valdosta, Georgia.

Live Streaming will be on Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home, Inc. | Quitman, Georgia | 229-263-4978 | (stevensmcgheefuneralhome.com).

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