Frances Bateman Putnam

Frances Bateman Walls Putnam was lovingly embraced in God's arms and carried to heaven on October 23, 2014. She was born on her maternal grandparents' farm in Seatack, Virginia, located in Princess Anne County, now Virginia Beach, Virginia, on September 29, 1928. Daughter of Roy Gordon Bateman, Sr. and Mary Lucy Caleo; sister to Roy G. Bateman, Jr., Dorothy H. Bryant, Judy Ann Schultz, and James Legacy, she was affectionately known all her life as "Sis."
Married to Morris Walls, who preceded her to the kingdom of God, Frances was a dedicated Navy wife and loving mother, and together they raised four children in Aragona Village in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She was a helping neighbor, happy parent volunteer, and faithful member of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. During those treasured years, she was a devoted and proud mom to her son Bill Walls, lead guitarist-singer in the "Beachnuts"; son Joseph Walls, science whiz-prize-winning paperboy; son Ronnie Walls, Princess Anne three-sport star athlete; and "her baby," ballerina-"tomboy"-book-crazy daughter Barbara Ann Walls (Jenkins). It was a magical time of unlocked doors, no air-conditioning, carport roller skating, hiking to the nearby swamp and woods, sand pan rafting escapades with the family dog "Lady," lining up stairstep to sing "Silent Night," swimming at the Naval Base pool, and skimboarding in the gutters after rain. The Walls backyard was an enchanted playground with made-up plays and games, a tree fort, rope swing, balance beam, basketball hoop, and all-day outdoor fun until Mom called for dinner through the wooden screen door.
While devoting her life to her grown children, she adored her eight grandchildren, Teri Walls Fiore, Bryan Walls, Stephen Walls, Noah Walls, Kelli Walls, Amber Michelle Jenkins Stamper, Alyssa Ann Jenkins, Ànnika Brynn-Lascara Jenkins; ten great-grandchildren, Chelsi Fiore, Kayla Fiore, Elijah Fiore, Nicolas Cerrone, Austin Walls, Maia Walls, Neely Walls, Daphne Walls, her newborn "beautiful" legacy, twins Wyatt Robinson & Colton Lane Stamper; and great-great grandchild, Zion Solorzano. Her home was the family gathering place for New Years' celebrations, Easter egg hunts, Fourth of July picnics, Thanksgivings feasts, and her annual reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Frances loved music of all kinds and was a fantastic dancer who jitterbugged all the way into October. She was a trophy-winning softball player and champion bowler. She held the family record for Bolo bat, was a high-scorer at Busch Gardens' arcade games and Chuck E. Cheese Skeeball, and took home medals from the Norfolk Academy Field Day races. She received great joy attending her grandchildren's school and sporting events, music concerts, and N.A. Grandparents' Day. Riding Disney World's "It's a Small World" with her grandchildren held a special place in her heart. She was beloved for her delicious Southern Italian cooking, holiday treats, and personal birthday cakes. She owned and loved many animals, most recently her sweet dog "Baby." Smart and full of fun and wit, as a child, she was sent to the store to select one pair of winter shoes and came out with shiny black tap shoes and happily tapped all the way home. At age fifteen, she won her first job as a grocery checker when she was the first to answer the proprietor's oral math question with lightning-speed.
Her last days on earth were filled with great joy: Her 86th Birthday was celebrated, and she was surrounded by her four children, her sister Judy and brother Jimmy, her son-in-law and "Popsicle Buddy" Billy Jenkins, and her dear friend Maria Bateman. In her final hours, "Grams" shared the laughter and enduring love of her faithful and adored granddaughters Amber, Alyssa, and Ànnika and listened to the sweet sound of her favorite hymn "Amazing Grace," played on violin by Ànnika. Her devoted daughter, best friend, and caregiver Barbara was holding her hand and heart as she entered the gates of heaven and was blessed with eternal life and rewarded with her guardian angel wings from above.
Frances was a "giver" all of her life, and she will continue to watch over as a shining light of God's grace, love, and generosity. She will be deeply treasured and lovingly remembered by her children, grandchildren, great- and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins, daughters-in law, son-in law, and the many friends who knew and loved her so. At her humble wish, a simple, private "Celebration of Life" blessing and sharing of memories will be enjoyed by the family in her home.
The family would like to offer its most gracious, humble gratitude to Gunadhar Panigrahi, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P., "Dr. Pani," for his thirty years of extraordinary medical care and dear friendship.