Linda Mary Bryant Batten, 75 of Windswept Circle passed away April 10, 2017. She was born March 13, 1942 in Norfolk to the late Celia Kirby Bryant and Aldrian R. Bryant. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Neil Bryant. Linda was reared in the former city of South Norfolk, was a graduate of Oscar Smith High School and attended Norfolk Business College. She was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. After marriage, she was an active 20 year member of Portlock United Methodist Church having served 10 years as editor of the church’s newsletter among her other service. She is currently a member of Azalea Garden Church of God.
Linda was a member of the Irish-American Society of Tidewater, serving as the club’s Internet Communications Coordinator and was a Woman of the Year in 2003. She was a charter member of the South Norfolk Civic League and served as its first membership chairman. In addition, she was a charter member of the South Norfolk Youth Athletic Association and volunteered 10 years as co-leader of the first organized Chesapeake cheerleading program, and was recognized with an award from the Virginia Recreation Department. She was a member of the Oscar Smith High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee from its inception in 1986 until 2004; she was also a charter member and 1st female member of the Chesapeake Sports Club and was often referred to as the “First Lady”. Linda was appointed to the City of Chesapeake’s Towing Advisory Board, an American Red Cross blood donor, and participated in clinical research at EVMS. She was a seasonal volunteer with the Salvation Army, a weekly volunteer at Kempsville Health and Rehabilitation formerly Oakwood Nursing Home, Virginia Beach, and an animal rights advocate. Linda enjoyed sharing her fond memories of exotic travel and dining out with family and friends.

Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Gene Batten; son, Terry M. Batten and his wife, Karen; daughter, Rhonda C. Batten; two precious grandchildren, Kendra and Travis; and her church family. DO NOT MOURN OR WEEP, MY LIFE DOES NOT END NOW (John 14:19) ALWAYS REMEMBER I LOVE YOU. YOU WILL SEE ME WHEN A WHITE BUTTERFLY PASSES YOUR WAY. LINDA

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 13, 2017 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake. A service to celebrate her life will be held Friday, April 14, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Azalea Garden Church of God, 1541 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. She will be laid to rest at Riverside Memorial Park, Norfolk. Memorial donations may be made to any local animal protection agency, The Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606 or Azalea Garden Church of God. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.