Era Dell Bateman

Era Dell F. Bateman, 81, a resident of Cleveland, passed away into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at her home. She was the sweetheart and spouse of 63 years of the Reverend Walter Bateman of Cleveland. Mrs. Bateman assisted in her husbands ministry for 51 years teaching Sunday School and working with adults and youth. She was a dedicated pastors wife with a burden for ministry and a faith that was unwavering.

She earned an A. A. degree from Jones County Jr. College and completed her bachelors degree from Lee University in 1969. She taught school for 20 years in West Tennessee, Denver, CO, Roswell, GA and retired from teaching in the Cleveland City School system. She was a member of the Westmore Church of God where she was active in Ladies Bible Study and Senior Activities. She was a nature lover, enjoyed walking, playing with her grandchildren and being with family. She will be remembered as an exemplary Christian lady who loved God and lived her life in the beauty and simplicity of His promises.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Freeman, brother, Adolph Freeman, and son, Greg Bateman.

In addition to her husband, survivors include son, Dan Bateman and wife Vickie, of Milton, FL; daughter, Vicki Glasscock and husband Dan, of Cleveland, TN; five grandchildren, Lara Glasscock McCullough, of Seoul, Korea, Brian Bateman, of Milton, FL, Jason Bateman, of Johnson City, TN, Gregory Bateman, of Dayton, TN, and Jennifer Bateman Hooper, of Blue Ridge, GA; eight great-grandchildren; and brothers and sisters, Katherine Whittington, Flavius Freeman, Ina Davis, Ottis Freeman, Shirley Hughey, LaFaye Martin, and Larry Freeman.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Westmore Church of God with Pastor Kelvin Page and Pastor Wendell Smith officiating. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Westmore Church of God Building Fund, 2412 Wolfe Dr. Cleveland, TN 37311.

Grissom Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements. To send an online condolence to the family, visit www.grissomfh.net. For additional information, phone 476-8575.