Daily Press (Newport News, VA) - February 25, 2008
Laura Anne Yacobi Bateman of Newport News, widow of Representative Herbert H. Bateman, passed away peacefully on Feb. 24 after a valiant battle with cancer.
Laura was born Jan. 26, 1929, in Wilmington, N.C., but arrived in Newport News shortly thereafter. She was the oldest daughter of Xavier Francis and Laura Margaret Piedmont Yacobi and loving sister to X.F. Yacobi Jr., John Carroll Piedmont Yacobi, James Randolph Yacobi, the Honorable Robert Mark Yacobi, Jeanne Marie Yacobi Turley, Patrick Daniel Yacobi, Elizabeth Camille Yacobi. She attended St. Vincent de Paul High School in Newport News, where she was a star basketball player, and then attended Nazareth College in Bardstown, Ky., where she received her degree. Laura returned to the Peninsula to work at the Langley Research Center of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics until her marriage to Herbert Harvell Bateman in 1954.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert H. Bateman; her father and mother, X.F. and Laura Margaret Piedmont Yacobi; brother, X.F. Yacobi Jr.; sister, Jeanne Marie Turley.
A devoted wife, mother, sister and friend, Laura was an inspiration to all who had the pleasure to know her. She was a constant partner and guiding light to her husband as his career in law and public service took hold. With her husband every step of the way, their journey was one of dedication and love of the Commonwealth and the Virginia Peninsula.
In Newport News, Laura was actively involved in the community as a member of the Hilton Woman's Club, and served as the first president of the Virginia Bar Association Auxiliary (Virginia Lawyer's Wives).
When her husband was elected to represent America's First Congressional District in Congress, she continued her service involving herself in the Congressional Club, an organization founded in 1908 and consists of present and current Congressional spouses. Her service included leadership positions on the board, as well as active and sought after expertise with the First Ladies Luncheon and the cookbook committees. She served as president of the 98th Congressional Class.
Her love and devotion to the Peninsula was recognized when she had the distinct honor to serve as the sponsor for the christening of the attack submarine Hampton (SSN767), Sept. 28, 1991. Following the Hampton's every move, and taking her role as sponsor very seriously, she was involved with the Society of Sponsors, an organization for those that sponsor U.S. Naval vessels.
Laura was active in the Mason Scholar Select Committee of George Mason University for the First Congressional District, Executive Board of Congressional Spouses for Human Rights, Congressional Wives for Soviet Jewry, Congressional Wives for Medical Research, National Mental Health Association, Child Mental Health Interest Group, National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Washington International Club and Congressional Spouses for Drug Free Youth. In Newport News, she was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and was a member of the St. Valentine's Guild, as well as a volunteer on the funeral reception committee. She was a past board member of Peninsula Catholic High School and the board of directors of The Mariners' Museum and the Museum's Bronze Door Society.
Laura is survived by her son, Herbert Harvell (Bert) Bateman Jr. and his wife, Mary Hazelwood Bateman; daughter, Laura Margaret Bateman; and three grandchildren, Mary Emmett Bateman, Herbert H. Bateman III, Samuel Adams Bateman; brothers, John Carroll Piedmont Yacobi and his wife, Nancy, of Greenville, S.C., James Randolph Yacobi and his wife, Jeanette of Hampton, the Honorable Robert Mark Yacobi and his wife, Peggy, of Williamsburg, Patrick Daniel Yacobi of Hampton; and sister, Elizabeth Camille Yacobi and her husband, Jim Cook, of Tallahassee, Fla.; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News.
A funeral Mass is planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Newport News with burial to follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.
A memorial has been established in honor of Laura Y. Bateman at The Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606.
Laura Anne Yacobi Bateman Edition: Final
Page: A10
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