Franklinton is in mourning this week for the passing of one of her staunchest citizens, who was the most loyal of friends and the truest and most self sacrificing wife and mother. Mrs. Lena Ball Bateman, wife of J. E. Bateman, former sheriff of Washington Parish and Mayor of Franklinton, died at her home Sunday at 5:00 p.m., after several years of ill health, and being confined to bed almost constantly since early spring. Mrs. Bateman lead a most active and industrious life, rearing a large family of fine girls and boys to whom she gave the most painstaking care in both physical and mental training and above all in spiritual and religious development. She was a true companion to a faithful husband through their 38 years of married life together, and gave the tenderest care to her invalid husband thru his almost total helplessness since he suffered a stroke about six years ago. Her sweet spirit and dauntless courage dominated her entire household and made one of the happiest and must successful families of the community. Mrs. Bateman was the eldest daughter of the late Warren Ball, one of the pioneer settlers of the parish. She spent her entire youth at Angie, where she early became affiliated with the Baptist church and where she was married from the old home 38 years ago. She was actively interested in every department of church work in this community, where she held her membership for over 30 years in the local Baptist church, being a regular attendent and an officer of her Sunday school class and mission society up to the time she became confined to her bed. She was also a faithful member of the Eastern Star, making it a point to attend all business sessions of the chapter, and being a most useful factor in promoting the social features of the organization. Noble Queen Chapter officiated at the services Monday, where Rev. J. D. Carroll conducted the funeral rites at the Baptist church at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon, assisted by Rev. F. N. Sweeney. Interment was in Ellis cemetery. A good an useful woman has passed to her reward, leaving a rich heritage and a record of accomplishment in home and community life worthy of emulation. Besides her husband, the deceased is survived by six daughters and three sons, all of whom are outstanding figures doing credit to the Christian training of the home: The eldest, Mrs. Joel Magee of the Fern Hotel, Franklinton; Miss Ruth Bateman, personal secretary to the manager of the G.M. & N. railroad offices at Laurel, Miss.; Mrs. J. R. Davis, Lynchburg, Va.; Mrs. Josie Simmons, of New Orleans; Misses Mary Ellis and Carol Bateman, in the home; R. W. Bateman, of the Bateman Insurance Agency of Franklinton; Silton Bateman, in the employ of the Bogalusa Paper Mills, and Hugh Bateman, principal of the Ferriday High School. Two brothers, Harry, of Angie, and Bob Ball of Slidell, and four sisters Mesdames Sones and Sones of Angie, Watkins of Okla., Moody of Charleston, Miss., and Robt. Magee of Bogalusa. Numbers of relatives and warm family friends came from Bogalusa, Angie, Poplarville, Picayune, Tylertown, Magnolia, Baton Rouge and Amite to attend the funeral and comfort the sorrowing family in the loss of this loved one.
