Walter Timothy Bateman

Walter Timothy Bateman, 89, of Cleveland, Tennessee passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at 5:50 a.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joel Frank and Hattie Leggett Bateman; his siblings: Oscar Bateman, Lillian Randall, Viola Harrell, Jim Bateman, Albert Bateman, Elouise Shuckrow Cummins, Annie Grace Wilkinson, Bob Bateman, and Carroll Leslie Bateman; his son, Gregory Ivan Bateman; and his wife or 63 years, Era Dell Bateman. Walter’s surviving family members include his wife, Alvena Hickey Bateman, his children, Dan Bateman (and wife, Vicki) of Milton, FL, and Vicki Glasscock (and husband, Dan) of Cleveland, TN; his step-children: Curtis Hickey (and wife, Mona) of Monroe, NC, and Dr. Gail Hickey (and husband, Robert) of Ft. Wayne, IN; his grandchildren: Cristy McCullough (and husband, Blair) of Lantana, TX, Brian Bateman of Milton, FL, Jason Bateman (and wife, Mandy) of Johnson City, TN, and Gregory Bateman (and wife, Jennifer) of Cleveland, TN; his step-grandchildren: Ethan Hickey of Monroe, NC, and Jena Jones (and husband, Josh) of Monroe, NC; and five great grandchildren. Walter Timothy Bateman was born on December 29, 1928 in Amite County, Mississippi. At age 27 Walter dedicated his life to Jesus Christ at Grace Methodist Church in Natchez, MS. In that same year, 1956, he accepted his call into the ministry, a commitment that lasted 62 years. Immediately following his conversion Walter began a three year program of study leading to his ministerial licensure in the Methodist Protestant Church. After serving a one year ministerial internship, he was assigned to his first church, Shiloh Methodist Protestant Church where he served for two years. In 1960, he moved his family to Cleveland, TN where he attended Lee College for four years. He was honored to serve as President of the Ministerial Club and thrived in the academic environment which fostered a lifelong passion for the study of systematic and Wesleyan theology. During his ministry first in the Methodist Protestant Church and then in the Church of God, Walter pastored churches in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Colorado. With extensive experience as a master carpenter, architectural draftsman, and construction supervisor, he was successful in the building and development of numerous churches and additional properties. Following his “proclaimed” retirement in 1989, he still continued his ministry by preaching upon invitation, writing, assisting with senior ministry visitation, men’s ministry, and gathering with like-minded ministers and scholars to discuss theology, Biblical issues and, of course, the works of John Wesley. He drew joy and strength in his later years from spending time with family, friends and his neighbors at Heritage Place. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, wisdom and unconditional love that has left an indelible impression on the hearts of all who knew him. A Remembrance of Life Service will be held at 3 o’clock Saturday at Westmore Church of God with Pastor Kelvin Page and Rev. Wendell Smith officiating. The committal service will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Mousoleum. The family will receive friends Saturday from 1 until 3pm at the church. The family request that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Mr. Bateman's memory to Westmore Church of God Media Ministries.Read Obituary