Phillip Neal Batten

Phillip Neal Batten, age 73, of Ocean Springs, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024 at Ocean Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

Phillip was born in Monroe, Louisiana and always cherished the childhood memories of the times he spent with his grandfather, George Hollis, gardening, hunting and fishing in North Louisiana. 

He was the first person in his family to graduate from college, earning a degree in Civil Engineering from Louisiana Tech University in 1973, thus becoming a lifelong diehard La Tech fan. 

Structural engineering was Phillip’s passion in life, and he was so proud of the many projects in which he was involved throughout his career. Some of his favorite projects and employers included: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS; construction of the I-10 bridge over the Pascagoula River (1970s), construction of the I-110 and Biloxi Bay railroad bridges, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Stennis Space Center, Avondale, and Simpkins and Costelli. Phillip spent the majority of his career as a structural engineering consultant. 

In Vicksburg, MS, while working for the Army Corps of Engineers, Phillip met his wife, Teresita. Phil and Tessie spent their lives together in Ocean Springs, raising three children. They enjoyed legendary family vacations that are still talked about to this day.

Phillip was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Bobbie Helen Batten.

He is survived by his wife, Tessie; children, Andy (Angie) Batten of Pass Christian, MS, Beth (Jeff) Covay of North Little Rock, AR; and Charlie Batten of Long Beach, MS. 

“Grandaddy” is also survived by his six grandchildren, Abby, Amelia, and Harper Batten of Pass Christian, MS, and Lucy, Henry, and Thomas Covay of North Little Rock, Arkansas. 

He is also survived by his sisters, Jenny (Danny) Wilson of Ovila, TX and Amy (Greg) Holman of Bakersfield, CA; his brother, Danny (Donde) Batten of Belaire, TX; and his sister-in-law, Maridel Besa, of Ocean Springs, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD).

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, August 30, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church, Ocean Springs. Friends and family may visit from 10:00am until service time. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Ocean Springs.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Phillip Batten.