Born April 22, 1939 in Urbana, Illinois, he was the son of the late Rev. George and the late Bernice Bateman. Dr. Bateman graduated from Tallula High School in 1957. He served in the U.S. Navy Band as lead Trombonist from 1957 until 1961. He started his career in Computer Programming at the U.S. Treasury Department, and continued as Computer Operations manager at Naval Sea Automated Data Systems Activity until 1986. He also served as interim Pastor at Welcome Baptist Church in Maryland in the early 1970’s.
After his government career, he earned his B.S. in Music Education at Bowie State University, and his Doctorate in Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camille, Georgia. He served as Minister of Music and Associate Pastor, Marbury Baptist Church, and Pastor, Indian Head Baptist Church. After his retirement, he relocated to Ellenton.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, William E. Bateman of Dunnellon, Florida. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Eleanor Wood Bateman, by brother Harold E. Bateman of Ocala, Florida, daughter Sandra Leah Cleary and her husband James of Prince Frederick, Maryland, and son David Leon Bateman and his fiancée Lisa Matthews of Ridgeview, West Virginia, by grandchildren Michael, Brittany, and Brian Bateman, and by two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 29th, 10:00–11:30am at Palm View First Baptist Church, 415 49th Street, East in Palmetto, Florida. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11:30am. Graveside services will be Friday, March 30th at 1:00pm at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
Arrangements are under the direction of Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park in Ellenton.
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