Renee Bateman

Renee Bateman passed away on the morning of August 12th 2019 at the Desoto Healthcare Center in Southaven, MS. Mrs. Bateman was 99 years old and is survived by her son, Mike Stevenson, a granddaughter Zoe and a great grandson Logan Wise. Renee was born on September 23, 1919 in Paris, France. At the age of 21 she saw her beautiful city of lights go dark during the occupation of Paris by Nazi Germany. After the liberation of Paris she met and fell in love with Byers Stevenson, a US Army Paratrooper from Corinth, MS. They were married, in Paris, and afterwards she moved to America. After the birth of her son Mike they left Corinth and moved to Memphis in hopes of finding work. Her husband died in 1959 while on active duty with the Army. Renee was left to raise her son as a single parent. She worked as an order checker for Parts Inc. until she retired as a supervisor in 1974. In 1971 Renee met and married the love of her life, James Bateman her second husband. They lived in Olive Branch, MS. In 1990 they moved to Mesa, Arizona where Renee and Jim enjoyed the desert surroundings, traveling and visiting his daughter Brenda Sorrels, her son Landry and husband Pete, who lived in Las Vegas. In 1994 they moved back to Olive Branch where they attended the Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Her husband James T. Bateman died in 2001. In 2003 Renee again picked up her life and as and elderly woman sold her home in Olive Branch and relocated to Hernando, MS. Renee bought a home at The Villages of Grove Park and attended the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. As an avid bingo player and casino player Renee lived a full and happy life meeting new friends and helping with fund raising activities for the new church. At the age of 94 Renee wisely decided to give up driving and sold her car, but that did not inhibit her enjoyment of life. Her friend and sometimes caregiver Marie Smith helped Renee with her medical appointments, shopping and salon visits. Together they shared life’s ups and downs. With Dementia starting to affect Renee’s abilities to cope with daily chores her son wanted to help her age in place. He was fortunate to find Debra Somerville, a professional caregiver and loving person who tried for over a year to fulfill this goal. In 2016, due to the onset of severe dementia, her son Mike had to move her into an assisted living facility, Life Pointe in Southaven, MS. Again Renee made new friends and enjoyed the activities offered her at the facility. In 2017 Renee had an accidental fall at Life Pointe. After surgery her ambulatory abilities were greatly reduced and Renee was moved to Desoto Healthcare in Southaven, MS where she lived out her remaining years in a safe and peaceful environment assisted by engaged caregivers. A funeral service will be held Thursday August 15, 2019 at 12pm at Brantley Funeral Home of Olive Branch. Interment will follow in Blocker Cemetery.