Margaret Carter Battle

Margaret Ann Carter Battle was born in Augusta, Georgia, January 18th, 1941, to Willa Eva Robinson Carter and John Carter. Margaret’s family lived in Augusta until she was a toddler. Her father joined the Army, which took the family on adventures all over the US, Japan and France. The family moved to 150 D Street, Washington D.C. when Margaret was around 6 years old, where she and her sister Louise started 1st grade at Giddings Elementary School. Later that year, mother and girls, joined their father in Japan where they attended primary school. They enjoyed their time in Japan where they learned songs in Japanese. After they moved back to the states, 3 more siblings were born. Their sister Joan, born in Washington, D.C., their sister Patricia, born when they later deployed to France and their younger brother, John, “Chucky”, born when they returned to Washington, D.C. The family decided to plant their roots in D.C., where Margaret and Louise graduated from Eastern High School. They spent quite a few summers with their grandmother, Bay, who lived and worked in New York. Bay would catch the Greyhound bus to pick them up, take them to NY for the summer and bring them back home. For their trip back home, Bay would pack fried chicken sandwiches, wrap them in waxed paper and put them in a shoebox for them to enjoy. When Bay would come to visit, she would come with a handkerchief full of coins for the girls. They loved her so. Those were beautiful, memorable years for the family. Margaret had a wonderful young life where she grew up with her parents, sisters, Louise Gardiner, Joan Marshman and Patricia Clark, her brother, John (Chucky) Carter, their cousin, Susan-Ann Dupree and many aunts, uncles, family members and friends.

After High school, Margaret met and married Rhoma Alvin Battle and had 2 children, Rhoma Holsall and Renee Lizette. With 2 young kids 10 months apart, Margaret started work for the Federal Government. She worked for a few agencies before retiring many years later as an Executive Assistant to the Director for Public Affairs at the US Department of Education. She received many awards and accolades during her career with the Federal Government. Margaret and Rhoma knew they wanted a better life for their growing family. They saved money and bought their flagship grocery store, Jefferson Market. They went on to buy many more in the years to come. The family worked in the different stores 7 days a week. Margaret made sure her family enjoyed other life beyond working in the grocery stores. They went on drives almost every Sunday and a few times, went on vacations, making moments that became lasting memories.

Margaret became a grandmother, known lovingly as Nana, in 1994 to Bryant Jordan Davis and again in 1997 to Alexandra Nicole Davis. She loved and spoiled those kids so much and was the best Nana any kid and young adults, could have. She supported them at every activity, cheering them on in their activities and making costumes for them like only she could do. Margaret cherished time spent with her son and daughter on many occasions-holidays, family vacations, and everyday moments. She was always with of her children, Rhoma and Renee and deeply involved in the lives of their families and partner.

Margaret enjoyed knitting and crocheting making countless sweaters for her kids, grandkids and their friends. She found joy in crocheting doilies where they are being used to this day in her families' homes. While shopping with her daughter, she would always say, “I can make that!” She probably could because her work was superb.

Margaret loved her family and was with them always, either on the phone, visiting, cookouts or just meeting for dinner. Margaret was also surrounded by friends and neighbors she loved, both longtime and new. She especially enjoyed her friend groups. With one group of friends, they would drive to the beaches in Ocean City every year and down to South Carolina to visit. The other friend group called themselves “The Bag Ladies”. They travelled to different places, frequented brunch, lunch and dinners and even went on a cruise. She had a wonderful life till the end.

Margaret was called home on Tuesday December 9th, 2025. She is survived by her children. Her Son, Rhoma Battle (Chris), her Daughter, Renee Davis (Bryant), her beloved grandchildren, Bryant Jordan (B.J.) Davis, and Alexandra (Alex) Davis, her sisters, Louise Gardiner, Joan Marshman and Patricia Clark, her nieces and nephews, Howard Gardiner, April Gardiner, Kenya Johnson Hawkins (Richard), Larry Clark (Charmaine), Karin Saffold (Rodney), her cousins, Susan-Ann Dupree and Sheree Dupree and a host of grand nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her mother and father, Willa Eva Carter and John Carter, her brother John Carter, her ex-Husband, Rhoma Battle and her nephew, William (Billy) Gardiner.

May she rest in eternal peace!

A visitation will be held at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, located at 3000 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC, 20020, on December 30, 2025, starting at 10:00 am.

A Celebration of Life will follow at the same location on December 30, 2025, beginning at 11:00 am.

Burial will take place at Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St SE, Washington, DC, 20003, on January 5, 2026, at 12:00 pm.