LoVisa Jane Battenfield “Lee”,96 of Leonardtown, MD formerly from Coltons Point, MD passed away on August 25, 2020 in Leonardtown, MD. She was born on September 9, 1923 in Canton, OH, and was the loving daughter of the late Marie Osborne McFarland and Wilbur McFarland.
Lee was the loving wife of the late John Robert “Juggy” Battenfield, whom she married on March 26, 1944 in Washington, DC and who preceded her in death on February 11, 1980. Lee is survived by her children; Barbara Bowles (George) of Loveville, MD, Roberta Adams (Tony) Mechanicsville, MD, Rebecca Kendall (Tom) of Mechanicsville, MD, son-in-law Jack Nelson of Mechanicsville, MD,10 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her children; Anita Meridith Nelson, and Cecelia Adams, son in law James E. Meridith, Sr, and her brother Gerald McFarland.
She graduated from Columbiana High School Columbiana, Ohio in 1941. She moved from Greenbelt, MD to St. Mary’s County, MD in the early 1950’s. Lee was a Nurses Aide for St. Mary’s Nursing Home for 10 years, retiring in the early 1980’s.
Lee was an avid book reader from the early days of her visiting the bookmobile at Coltons Point to her visits later in life to the library in Leonardtown. She was a great seamstress making and altering clothes for her “girls” and family members throughout the years. She also enjoyed taking ceramics classes in which she made many beautiful items she proudly gave as gifts. Together with daughters Anita and Barbara they also enjoyed taking classes to make, fire, paint and dress porcelain dolls. Each of us girls have special dolls gifted from mom which we treasure. We are most proud of her returning to school after she turned 50 to study geriatric nursing. After completing her courses, she worked at St. Mary’s Nursing Center as a nurse’s aide working the night shift. She also enjoyed crocheting and taught many of her co-workers at the Nursing Home the beloved granny square during breaks. She enjoyed working at the Nursing Home for over 10 years but following the death of her husband soon retired and began to serve the community for the next twenty years providing in home care to the elderly in her local neighborhood. During her residency at St. Mary’s Nursing Center, she could always be found with one of her beloved word search books; she also loved watching the History Channel and didn’t miss her nightly viewing of Jeopardy. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her “girls” and we have many, many happy memories of trips to the Lancaster, PA area, Florida, Tennessee, Las Vegas and a long road trip to the west coast in the early 90’s. Mom’s favorite trips were religious in nature and she stood strong in her faith. She took several pilgrimages to Conyers, GA, traveled to Medugorje in 1997 and a trip to The Holy Land with Barbara was the trip of a lifetime for her! Lee was a great cook and gracious entertainer and enjoyed preparing dinners or cookouts; she was most noted for her wonderful holiday spreads! We were always welcome at her table!! Her smile was infectious; you could count on being greeted with one! She was a treasure to many but especially her children and grandchildren who will miss her greatly; she will remain in our hearts forever!
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 from 9:00 Am to 10:00 AM in Holy Angels Catholic Church Avenue, MD; where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM with Father Stephen Wyble officiating. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Church Bushwood, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be John Robert Bowles, Robert Battenfield, Richard Battenfield, Joey Wood, Tony Adams, and Tom Kendall. Honorary Pallbearers will be George Bowles, and George Bowles, Jr.
Contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Nursing Center 21585 Peabody Street Leonardtown, MD 20650.
