Doris has become a force for good in Holly Springs and surrounding areas. She is gifted at researching, resourcefulness and organizing people in order to bring forgotten history to light. Her biggest asset is her heart. 

Mrs. Doris Battle is the Chairperson and Founder of NC Forgotten History. Realizing there was no Historical Marker for the historical Holly Springs Elementary School, she requested that the Town of Holly Springs purchase one for the school site.

 

Mrs. Battle was raised by her loving mother (Lunaria Taylor Harris) and father (Willie Cleveland Harris) in a small community near Holly Springs referred to as St. Mary’s (beside Holly Springs Road; Route 1 in Apex). Her entire family would gather on the weekends at the community bench outside her Uncle Frank’s house. Her Aunt Alberta would sell hot dogs and ice cream cones on weekends. Someone would bring watermelons, cantaloupes, or something from their garden and they all would eat. The children would play games, and the adults would tell jokes and laugh. They would share stories of their childhoods and make up some stories on others.

 

Mrs. Battle’s interest in history developed from the community she grew up in. “They would tell us just enough to keep us wondering what was next in their conversation. There was so much respect for their fellow persons,” Doris observed. 

 

Mrs. Doris Battle is married to Rev. Milton O. Battle. She is the mother of four beautiful adult daughters, and grandmother of two marvelous grandchildren - a girl and a boy.

 

Doris’ motto in life is: “Seek And You Shall Find.” Her former professor Mrs. Florence Thomas would say, “Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper.” So that’s what she has decided to do, and it has been a marvelous journey.

 

Mrs. Battle is grateful to have met so many wonderful people in her lifetime. She recalls one interview when a man said, “Some of the things that I’ve done in life is between me and my God. But I can tell some things.” He also said, “You can’t always believe everything you read in a History Book. Sometimes you have to meet the people and get a feel for what they have been through.” 

 

Doris has tried to take his advice, learning along the way. Knowing that everybody has a story to tell and it’s up to her and others to help them tell it.

 

Some of the stories she has helped bring to light:

 

WRAL News

By: Gerald Owens

Mr. Lynn Council (interviewee)

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Main & Board Magazine 

By: Emily Uhland 

Doris Battle (interviewee)

 

ABC News/Ed Crump

By: Bridge Condon 

Rev. Willie Sellers (interviewee)

'WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN SOMEBODY:' NEGRO LEAGUE FAMILIES SAY MLB RECOGNITION 'LONG OVERDUE'

 

Holly Springs Elementary/Rosenwald School Site

Doris Battle (creator)

 

News & Observer Newspaper

By: Tommy Grubb

Doris Battle (interviewee)

Black Family built these Wake County Schools. Now that history is being preserved.

News and Observer Newspaper:

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HISTORIC MARKER NOW STANDS AT THE SITE OF FORMER HOLLY SPRINGS SCHOOL FOR BLACK CHILDREN

Ed Crump

Doris Battle (interviewee)

ABC 11 News:

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