Cecil Batchelor was the chairman of CBS Banc-Corp and chairman emeritus of CB&S Bank, based in Russellville, Alabama. His 56-year banking career was one defined by success in establishing and leading banks throughout the state – and his impacts on the industry are profound.
Upon graduation from Phillips High School in Bear Creek, Batchelor enlisted in the United States Navy but had to wait for a period of three months before he could officially join. During that waiting period, he started several business ventures –– and also met the woman who would eventually become his wife.
His time in the Navy was largely spent stationed stateside in Williamsburg, Va., where he patrolled the eastern seaboard for submarines –– World War II was in full swing at that point. It was at that point he met – and befriended – a German POW named Georg Giersberg, with whom he made a promise to help him emigrate to the United States at a later date.
After the war ended, he moved back to Alabama and enrolled at Florence State Teachers College – now known as the University of North Alabama – in Florence with the desire to become an educator. An opportunity came along to move into auto sales and later retail hardware sales, thanks to the encouragement of a connection in Russellville.
After establishing himself in the Russellville business community, Batchelor was elected to the board of directors for Citizens Bank in 1964, which was his official introduction to the banking industry.
At 45 years old, he was the youngest member of the board by 20 years and soon realized his retail experience could be a great asset to the board and help the bank through periods of change and innovation.
After a failed attempt by a majority of the board to sell the bank, which Batchelor, then chairman of the board, did not support, he decided then to begin buying shares in the bank until he had a majority holding to prevent any future attempts to sell the bank. The rationale behind this was to preserve the bank’s valuable role as a community asset, in touch with the needs of the area’s residents.
Over the years he continued serving as chairman of the board and advocating for the bank and for policy changes, all while acquiring stock in the business and finally becoming the majority stockholder in 1993, ensuring the bank would remain independently owned and operated.
During Batchelor’s time as chairman of the board for Citizens Bank, he helped to spearhead the bank’s expansion into other markets once expanding beyond county lines was allowed. In 2008, Citizens Bank changed its name to CB&S Bank.
In May 2016 after more than 50 years of service as chairman of the board for CB&S Bank, having overseen its growth from $5 million in assets to more than $2 billion in assets, with 57 locations throughout the southeast, Batchelor became chairman emeritus of the board until his passing August 17, 2021.
But besides his accomplishments in business, Batchelor’s effort to help his German POW friend Georg Giersberg emigrate is among his proudest achievements. Years after WW2, Batchelor tracked Giersberg down to a small English town and helped him and his family emigrate to the United States. Seeing the family flourish and succeed brought Batchelor much joy and happiness over the years.
Batchelor was involved in many civic and community causes and groups over his lifetime. He was an active member and leader in the First United Methodist Church of Russellville. He was the longest-serving Civitan member in the state of Alabama at over 72 years, which included time spent as the president, the treasurer, and the secretary of the Russellville Civitan Club.
He organized and was the first president of the Russellville Industrial Board, the Russellville Jaycees, and the Russellville Merchant Association., and served as president of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, among other business and civic affiliations.
He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Olivia Robinson Batchelor; his daughter, Rebecca Reeves, and her husband, Brad; his son, Greg Batchelor, and his wife, Donna; his grandson, John Bradley Reeves, and his wife, Alana; his grandson, John Gregory Batchelor; and his great-grandson, Rhett Reeves.
