January 21, 1929 – August 12, 2023
Eva Davis Batts, 94, peacefully entered into heavenly rest on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Dinwiddie Health & Rehab Center, Dinwiddie, Virginia. Mrs. Batts was born in Sussex County to the union of Herman Davis and Edna Shands Davis on January 21, 1929. The family moved to Petersburg, Virginia during the early 1940’s. Mrs. Batts graduated Peabody High School in 1947. She married William Alexander Batts, Jr. on June 27, 1947.
Mrs. Batts attended a community college for two years. She graduated Saint Phillips School of Practical Nursing in 1958, six months later, she entered employment with the Department of the Army at Kenner Army Hospital, Fort Lee, Virginia where she was employed from 1959-1989.
She became a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in 1949. Mrs. Batts loved the Lord and served in several capacities at her church: Sunday School Superintendent (1964-68 and 1972-1984), Sunday School Teacher, member of the Senior Choir, and Girl Scout Leader. Mrs. Batts’s pride and joy for over 25 years was serving as Director of the Youth Ministry at Tabernacle Baptist Church, and as the Youth Director of the Regional Baptist Association.
In the early 1990’s, her husband was having health problems so on July 1, 2001, they moved to Tennessee to be closer to their daughter. Mrs. Batts returning to Petersburg, VA in 2016.
Mrs. Batts was preceded in death by her husband, William; son, Carl Jerome Batts, and three sisters, Doris Davis Elliott, Bertha Davis Womack, and Alberta Davis Ward. She leaves many behind to cherish her life: a devoted daughter and son-in-law, Jacqueline Batts Hill (Jackie) of Huntington Beach, CA; two sons and two daughters-in-law, William Alexander Batts, Jr. III (Pat) of West Palm Beach, FL and Randolph Thomas Batts (Veneshia) of Dinwiddie, VA; nine grandchildren, Jackie Hill, Jr. of Huntington Beach, CA, Jennifer Hill of Knoxville, TN, Maya Batts of Washington DC, Emily Batts of West Palm Beach, FL, William Alexander Batts IV of Newhaven, CT, Avery Batts, Micheal Batts, and Megan Batts Ward all of Waco, TX, and Randi Jasmine Batts of New Orleans, LA; eight great grandchildren; brothers, Melvin Davis of Richmond, CA, Robert Davis of Prince George, VA, and Leon Davis of Tucson, AZ. Mrs. Batts also leaves behind two dear and loyal friends, Evelyn Walker and Toni Graves.
Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Friday, August 18, 2023, at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 418 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Diggs, Sr., Pastor, eulogist.The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, August 17, 2023 at the funeral establishment. In lieu of floral arrangements the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345.
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.