Laffette Tarae Battle AKA (Laff) (Chopper) was born in Lancaster California at Antelope Valley General hospital on November 30, 1970 to Ina and Lenall Battle. He is the oldest of 4 brothers and was an only child for 14 years. Laffette attended Boze Elementary School, McKelvie Junior High and Lincoln High School l on the Eastside of Tacoma. As a young boy, Laffette enjoyed athletics and played all sports that were offered at the Boys and Girls Club. He excelled in basketball and became one of the top point guards in the city. Laffette won multiple awards as he traveled around the state competing in various basketball tournaments. In high school, Laffette’s main sports were basketball and track. As a senior at Lincoln, Laffette was featured in the May 4th, 1989 Tacoma News Tribune as one of the athletes of the week, winning the low hurdles, 110 meter high hurdles, 200 yard dash and running on the winning 1600 meter relay team. At  Washington State Championships Star Track, Laffette ran anchor on Lincoln’s 4 x 400 relay team taking  first place in the state. After graduating Lincoln High School in 1989 Laffette attended Western Washington   University for one year. He decided to join the Army in 1990. Laffette and  Krystal Willingham married August 1991. His service duty stations were in Somalia and various other locations  across the US. Laffette was offered to attend West Point  Military Academy but decided civilian life was better for him. Laffette and Krystal was blessed with a baby girl in 1994 SirRenahdi  AKA (Sweets) to join their son    SirRahkeem AKA (Radio). Returning to Tacoma, Laffette worked for Simpson Paper Mill. This gave him an opportunity to work on large paper manufacturing machines. The experience motivated him and directed his path finding what he really enjoyed doing. Laffette loved working with his hands on large manufacturing machines. His newfound skill set evolved into machine repair, machine maintenance, heavy equipment operator, carpentry, construction foreman, material management and many other things that encompassed building or manufacturing. It came easy for him to operate and maintain factory machines and master production processes. In 2016 he relocated to Omaha, NE. He began working at another paper printing processing company. His work ethic and skill set along with his ability to embrace, encourage and motivate others always advanced him to a leadership positions. He was elevated to factory maintenance manager responsible for servicing large paper printing machines. Laffette and  Xiomara Rodriguez (CeCe) married March 4, 2016. They attended Church of the Living God under the leadership of Pastor Dale Carter. Laffette returned home to Tacoma in 2021 to reconnect to his roots and fell more in love with Jesus. At a young age Laffette attended Greater Joy Church COGIC under the leadership of  Supt. Pastor James T. Watson Sr. and First Lady Verleda Watson. As he studied God’s word and sought after the Lord he became one of the most diligent and faithful members of Unity Christian Ministries. God allowed us to see our beloved Laffette serve Him in spirit and in truth. Laffette was Unity Christian Ministries advisor, consultant, planner and design engineer for the ministries newest kingdom project the construction of a campground within city limits.

Laffette leaves to cherish his memories his wife Xiomara Battle. Two daughters SirRenahdi (Daylin) and Xiolmy. Four sons SirRahkeem (Amber), Jesse, Josue and Jonathan. Two grandsons Milo and Kuba and one granddaughter Dominica. His  loving parents Lenall and Ina Battle. Three brothers Marquise, Tramaine (Suzanna) and Andrew (Tammie). Two nephews Travon and Xavier. Five nieces Lavaya’, Tamiah, Alasha, Azariah, Natalia and a host of family and friends.