Brenda Faye Batey

Brenda Faye Alexander Batey, 74, of Long Beach, Mississippi, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Born January 17, 1952, in Wiggins, Mississippi, Brenda grew up in Long Beach and graduated from Long Beach High School in 1970. She never really left — she just kept going to school. An associate's degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, a bachelor's from the University of Southern Mississippi, a master's from Mississippi State — each one a step toward what she was born to do: teach and share her passion for language and culture.

And teach she did. She began at Coast Episcopal School in Long Beach, spent 10 years at Long Beach High School, and finished her over-30-year career at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, where she taught Spanish and French for 19 years before retiring in 2007. At MGCCC, she sponsored the International Student Association, taking students from around the world under her wing, and even into her home. To Brenda, every student was worth knowing, and every language worth learning.

Her love of the Gulf Coast ran deep. She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Long Beach and gave her time generously to the Long Beach Historical Society, helping to organize the historic cemetery tour program and sharing the stories of those who came before with anyone lucky enough to walk beside her.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, King Batey; her daughter, Tiffany Batey of Gulfport; her son, Trey Batey of Toledo, Washington; and her granddaughter, Laurel Batey of Toledo, Washington; her sisters, Angie Johnson of Long Beach and Cindy Smith of Gautier; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Haskel and Floye Alexander, and infant brother, Marty, of Long Beach.

In keeping with her wishes, Brenda was cremated, and the family will hold a celebration of her life at a future date. Arrangements are under the care of Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach; details will be shared as they are finalized. We invite family and friends to leave stories and memories of Brenda on her tribute page at www.riemannfamily.com . 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Long Beach Community Food Pantry or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, so that Brenda's legacy of caring for her community continues.

She taught thousands of students two languages, but the love she spoke needed no translation.