Carol Ann Batty 12/1/1936-6/22/2023, age 86, died in Grand Rapids, MI. She formerly resided in Ann Arbor, MI, and Champaign, IL.

Carol was born in Moline, IL, the daughter of Freedom and Nelle Franklin. On August 25, 1957, she married Paul W. Batty in East Moline, IL; he passed December 17, 2017.

She is survived by their four children, Jill Batty (Daryl Stutes), Joel Batty (Colleen), Paula Westdorp (Bob), and Philip Batty (Julie). Surviving grandchildren are Paula VanLaningham, Adam Batty (Erin), Alex VanLaningham, Cole Batty, Jane Puckett, Michael Franklin (Grace), Jill McKenna (Mitchell), Mark Franklin, Ellen Batty, and Ariana Batty. Also surviving are sister Carol Batty Sackett Rotz, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carol graduated from Illinois State University with an Elementary Education degree. Later she earned a Master's degree in Library Science from Indiana University and a Master of Arts in TESOL from Eastern Michigan University. Throughout her career she taught sixth grade in Illinois and English as a Second Language to adults in Michigan. She was a successful children's librarian and library administrator in Bloomington, IN, Champaign, IL, and Toledo, OH. She also did library administration work at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in Ann Arbor, MI.

She loved her work as a public library children's librarian. In Bloomington, IN, she developed and directed a children's local television show, called Kids Alive, which featured kids in front of and behind the camera. In Champaign, IL, the popular children's department won a national John Cotton Dana award for excellence in programming under her direction.

After retiring from WCC in 1996, she continued part-time teaching ESL and tutoring. She and her husband Paul used their retirement years with enthusiasm, volunteering for many local and national organizations, including projects sponsored by Earthwatch, the Sierra Club, the US Park Service, the US Forest Service, the Red Cross, and Catholic Social Services Respite Care.

Cremation has taken place. Memorials can be made to the American Library Association, fighting censorship initiative at http://www.ala.org/aboutala/give-ala or to other organizations listed above.