August 21, 1949 – November 16, 2024
Last of the original cowboys, Samuel Carnes Harvard Batten, passed into the arms of our Heavenly Father after a lengthy illness on November 16, 2024, in Brooksville, Florida. Carnes was one-third of the first surviving triplets in the state of Florida. He was born to Julius and Ruth Batten on August 21, 1949. Sharing the spotlight during this historic event were sisters, Slyvia
Jean and Stella Diane. The triplets were named after the local delivery team consisting of Doctor Samuel Carnes Harvard and his two assisting nurses.
Carnes was proceeded in death by: his parents, Julius and Ruth Batten, wife Gail, step-daughter Lesley Waterhouse, brothers Ben, Robert (Buddy), Sidney, David, Gregory and Alexander, sister Amelia (Mandy) Hall, brothers-in-law Ray Groves and Jimmie Sunday, granddaughter Angel Batten, and grandsons Tristian Batten, Stephen Wolfe, and Theadore Truman.
Carnes is survived by: longtime companion Martha-Irene Weed, first wife Debra Stewart, sons Samuel Batten Jr. and Eric Batten, daughter Lindsay Fletcher, step-daughters Gina Gagnon and Lisa Sabatino, sisters Mary Groves, Susie Rehurek, Sylvia Sunday, Stella Todd, Henrietta O’Neil, 11 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and an abundance of loving friends.
Carnes was a survivor of the Polio Epidemic as a three-year-old in 1952 causing him to spend over a year as an inpatient at All Children’s Hospital in St, Petersburg, Florida. He loved all animals but had a certain soft spot for horses, cattle, and his dogs. He spent much of his life as a cowboy, working for many large ranches across the state of Florida. He broke many horses and
penned many cattle in his days of cowboying throughout his life. A memory he would tell you was one of his fondest was receiving a phone call to rope an FFA show steer off the Hernando High School football field. He was known as one of the last “original” cowboys and was always ready to saddle up his faithful horse Old Goat. Carnes leaves behind a legend for many young buck cowboys who are eager to fill his boots.
Viewing will be December 7, 2024 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Brewer Funeral Home, 1190 S. Broad St. Brooksville, Florida. Service is to follow after the viewing.