Freddie Orlean Bateman passed away peacefully at home on
Sunday, May 13, 2012. After numerous strokes and twenty years of fibromyalgia
pain, she is now at rest with her Lord.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri on May 6, 1934, she was the only daughter of
Reverend and Mrs. Eldon Johnson. She is survived by her loving husband of 28
years, Roger Bateman, by five children: daughter Randy (Ty) Heintze, and
step-daughter Susan Bateman, both of Corpus Christi, Texas; son Kirk Kinnett of
Alice, step-daughter Sally (Howard) Baulch of Dublin, Ohio, step-son David
(Karen) Bateman of Plano, Texas; by nine grand children: Jacquelyn (Kyle) Kruppa,
Christina (Jeremy) Baulch Cochran, Diana Baulch, Jonathan Baulch, Nicholas
Baulch, Cassidy Kinnett, Kylie Kinnett, Malana Kinnett and Chanelle Kinnett, and
by her great-grandson: Cayden Kruppa.
Graduating from Liberty High School, Liberty, Missouri, in 1952, she attended
William Jewell College and Missouri State College. Blessed with exceptional
beauty, musical talent and an artistic flair, she was modest about her
abilities. She developed her marvelous singing voice at the Conservatory Of
Music in Kansas City, Missouri. While still in high school, .she became a model
for the Patricia Stevens Model and Talent Agency.
Moving, with her family, to Corpus Christi in 1965, she joined the public
relations firm of Vernon Smylie and Associates, helping to manage numerous
successful political campaigns. In 1975 she became Executive Secretary of the
Rotary Club of Corpus Christi. She fondly referred to its over 400 members as
"My Boys". She resigned in 1984 at the time of her marriage to Roger.
She was a fresh, bubbly, free spirit. Every year she sent hundreds of cards to
friends celebrating birthdays or anniversaries, extending sympathy or best
wishes, each with a personal note. She was equally at home with national
political leaders and with homeless individuals at the Salvation Army Shelter.
She and Roger cared deeply about animals and the environment. Their home was
constantly filled with rescued pets. Always ready to go, whatever the weather,
she enjoyed co-piloting (i.e. sorting flight charts and feeding the pilot)
whenever Roger flew their plane on a trip. An experienced world traveler, she
never lost her sense of wonder at what she saw, marveling and excitedly pointing
out details others missed.
She had a way of inspiring others to work with her. She was a Girl Scout Leader,
active in the PTA, and manned the concession stands at Oso Little League
Baseball Field. She was active with the YWCA and its Y-Teen Program and served
on the board of the Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens. She was a member of Beta
Sigma Phi Sorority.
She was both the first female Board Member and the first female Board Chair of
the local Salvation Army. She organized its annual style show. She started the
Salvation Army Doll Show. She established the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary,
and was its first president. Annually they gave an award to the outstanding
Salvation Army volunteer. They called it a "Freddie".
The family will receive friends at Seaside Memorial Park on Wednesday, May 16,
from 5:00 until 7:00 pm.
A Memorial Celebration will be at South Shore Christian Church, Thursday, May 17
at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make gifts to South Shore Christian Church or the
Salvation Army.
To view tributes please visit www.seasidefuneral.com
