Purnell Batts, Jr. Obituary

With deepest sorrow, we announce that Purnell G. Batts Jr., "PJ", our beloved son, brother, family member and friend departed this life on June 4, 2022, peacefully in his sleep. Those who knew PJ or encountered him even for a little, lost a shining light in their life. He was very loving and caring. He had such a great presence and charisma about him that charmed everyone he encountered.

PJ was born on December 14, 2001, to  Annie Wilkins and Purnell Batts, Sr. in Petersburg, VA.

He received his GED and enlisted in the U.S. Army at the Virginia Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy in 2017. He was stationed in Colorado at Fort Carson and actively served in the Army for 2.5 years. During his time in Colorado, he spent most of his time with close friends, Moody, LT, Perry, Mark, and Floyd. He loved cars and his favorite was the Dodge Charger Scat Pack.

PJ was preceded in death by his father, Purnell Batts, Sr; and great grandmother, Vernell Arlene Batts.

He leaves to cherish in loving memory: his mother, Annie Wilkins; sister, Mahagony Wilkins; grandfather, Calvin Batts; grandmothers, Sandra Wilkins and Wanda Batts; god-sister, Dasia Jackson; god-brother, Eugene Washington, Jr. “E” of Petersburg, VA; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends among them devoted, TreKwon Thomas, Thomas Taylor, Taeyon Gibson, and BreAsia Clanton.

Services will be held 5:00 P.M., Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Gravel Run Baptist Church, 12512 Duncan Road, North Dinwiddie, VA, the Rev. Dr. Larry D. Brown, Sr., Pastor. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

The family asked that all person attending to wear white.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page.