Sue Batten Lane

Eva Sue Batten Lane, 82, of the Micro/Selma area, died on Sunday morning, August 30th, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer. She was courageous until the end, wanting to see family and friends to say goodbye, reminisce on memories together, and to express her love for them.

Sue was the third child of Owen Culbreth Batten and Eva Davis Batten, always joking that the middle child got the worst end of the deal. She grew up on the family farm outside of Micro, where she developed a strong work ethic and learned many lifelong skills from her daddy and mother. Sue was a graduate of Micro High School and attended Louisburg College and East Carolina University.

Sue was a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, an excellent student, a dependable employee in the legal field, a farmer, a business owner (Eva’s Dress Shop in Selma and Kenly), as well as being the owner and operator of Lane Home, a NC state-licensed 24-hour therapeutic residential facility for special needs children. She worked with 37 children during the Lane Home years, and some of those children stayed in touch with “Ma Sue” well into their adulthood. Later in life, she continued to serve others by sitting with the elderly in their homes and giving comfort to those who chose to stay at home but needed an extra hand.

Sue’s many talents included baking the best pies and desserts (cherry yum yum) and sewing, even making a wedding gown. Her business talents probably came from her daddy, and the soft touch and homemaking skills were nurtured by her mother. She took pride in being a farm girl, and she loved to bird watch and care for any animal that came her way.

Throughout her life, Sue’s faith was unwavering. She read her Bible, could quote scripture, and attended many bible studies over the years. We have no doubt she is rejoicing in heaven with her Lord and Savior and with all her family and friends who were awaiting her on Sunday morning.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Owen Davis “Dick” Batten, and brothers-in-law, Billy Ray McKeel and Bobby Ray “Pete” Johnson.
Left to treasure her memory are her sons: Douglas Michael “Mike” Lane and wife, Cindy; and Steven “Steve” Clarence Lane and wife, Pam; as well as seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sisters, Patricia Batten McKeel and Dana Batten Johnson; sister-in-law, Susie P. Batten, as well as the father of her sons, Gerald Douglas Lane and his wife, Wanda; in addition to many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Parrish Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Selma Memorial Gardens. Family will receive visitors at other times at Steve and Pam Lane’s house at 3673 Lizzie Mill Road, Selma, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Hinnant Outreach Center, 102 W. Main Street, Micro, NC 27555, or the SECU Hospice House, PO Box 1376, Smithfield, NC 27577.

Online condolences may be left for the family at parrishfh.com.