Funeral service set for activist Battiste

Community activist Mattie Battiste, who was found beaten to death in her apartment nearly two weeks ago, will be buried Saturday in Alabama.

Battiste, 72, was a frequent critic of drug dealers and others near her home in the 6900 block of S. Prairie Ave. Many neighbors thought that is who killed her. But a few days after the murder, her 20-year-old adopted daughter, Katrina, Seith Williams, 21, and Hernandez Holeman, 20, were arrested in connection with her death. One of the men has been described as Katrina's boyfriend, and police said she is also pregnant. All three will appear in court Sept. 10 to face charges of first-degree murder.

Battiste's family and friends will now gather in Prichard, Ala., to remember a woman who tried to rid her neighborhood of crime and hopelessness.

"This is a real tragedy for our entire family," said Sandra Moore, Battiste's great-niece.

Visitation will take place Saturday, 9 a.m., at St. James Major Catholic Church, 927 W. Prichard Ave. in Prichard, followed by a service and interment. On Wednesday, at 7 p.m., a memorial service for Battiste will be held in Chicago at St. Colombanus Catholic Church, 331 E. 71st St. Father Matthew Eyerman, pastor of St. Colombanus, said Battiste was a parishioner there for five years. He said she also attended mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Hyde Park.

Moore hopes Wednesday's remembrance will bring closure for Battiste's friends, neighbors and co-workers at the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).

"She didn't deserve to die in that way," Moore said. "The family has no explanation as to what happened. Katrina had a good upbringing."

Article copyright REAL TIMES Inc.