Henry Rhodes Bateman, Jr.

Henry Rhodes Bateman, Jr., 80, of Mechanicsville, died Tuesday, January 12, 2021. He was a cherished husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 41 years, Irma Bowers Bateman and his parents, Henry Rhodes Bateman, Sr. and Mary Morgan Bateman. He is survived by his three daughters, Irma Bateman Adams, and her husband Charles, Amy Bateman Patina, and her husband Mike, Julia Bateman Galleher, and her husband J. Patrick; two sons, Dr. Henry Rhodes Bateman, III, and Ropon Pollard Bateman. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Charles Ellis Adams Jr., Irma Blanton Adams, Michael Stuart Patina, Robert Rhodes Patina, Elizabeth Margaret Patina, Henry Somerville Patina, James Patrick Galleher III, William Henry Galleher, Jack Goodwin Galleher, and Ryan Bowers Galleher; sister, Elizabeth Bateman Owens; brother-in-law, Robert Owens, and nieces; Stephanie Strack and Jennifer Jenkins. Henry was born in Norfolk, VA and grew up on the shore of Back Creek in Dandy, VA where he enjoyed countless hours of boating, crabbing and fishing. Born profoundly deaf, Henry faced this challenge with determined perseverance and a keen intellect amidst an era in which few accommodations were made for people with disabilities. He graduated from York High School in 1958 where he was a member of the football team. He worked in the Yorktown Pharmacy and the Newport News Shipyard. In 1962, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Lynchburg College where he was a member of Iota Beta Gamma, Chi Beta Phi, and the Honor Court. At Lynchburg College, he met his beloved future wife, Irma Bowers and married on August 15, 1965. Together they formed a strong and supportive union whose focus was on family, education, faith, and kindness. He held positions at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center and later at Roche Biomedical Laboratories. After 23 years as an Analytical Chemist in the Department of Toxicology in the Division of Forensic Science for the State of Virginia, he retired at the age of 72. He loved spending time with his large family on vacations and celebrating their accomplishments. He was a former member of Grafton Christian Church in Yorktown, VA and of Holly Ridge Christian Church in Mechanicsville, VA. A private chapel service will be held at Woody Funeral Home, 9271 Shady Grove Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23116 on January 18, 2021 at 1:00 pm. A public committal service will be held at Concord Baptist Church Cemetery, Caroline County, VA on January 18, 2021 at 2:30 pm. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Lynchburg Fund or Hearing Loss Association of America.