Johnny B. Bateman passed away at home Saturday evening, January 10, 2015 in Forrest City, AR. He was born July 10, 1935 in Winbon, Mississippi to Edna Earl Wright of Winbon, MS and Johnie Guy Howell of Potts Camp, MS. His grandparents, Percy and Estoil Bateman , raised him. His grandparents, parents and stepfather Douglas Bateman; and two sisters, Margie Parnell of New Albany, Mississippi, and Eva Jean Gaines of South Carolina preceded him in death. Grandson Joshua Keith of Wynne, AR also preceded him in death.
Mr. Bateman enlisted into the United States Army and served during the Korean War, and he was a member of the American Legion. He worked many years as a service man for Sears & Roebuck, and worked in maintenance at Warwick Manufacturing in Forrest City. He farmed in St. Francis County, and owned Bateman Heating and Air Conditioning during the late years of his life. In his leisure time , he enjoyed camping and fishing.
Mr. Bateman married Nettie Virginia Kelso Shepherd of Forrest City in 1991. He was of Baptist faith. Surviving siblings include his brothers, Jimmy (Sandra) Bateman of Plant City, FL, George (Margie) Bateman of Millen, GA, Jerry (Lana) Bateman of Zellwood, FL, and his sister Hazel (Brad) Bienvue of New Orleans, LA.
His surviving children are Johnny (Donna) Bateman of Wynne, AR; Robert (Lou) Bateman of Horn Lake, MS; Tommy (Rebecca) Bateman of Cordova, TN; Peggy (Shane) Stracner of Berryville, AR; and Patti (Jeff) Criss of Forrest City, AR. Mr. Bateman is survived by seven grandchildren, Jeremy, Eric, Tiffany, Bryon, Matt, Briana, and Shelby Bateman; and seven great-grandchildren, Mattie, Codey, Brianna, Tanner, Trevor Bateman, and Dylan and Zach Fisher.
Additionally, four stepchildren survive Mr. Bateman; Mary Helen (Larry) Lamb of Heber Springs, James Shepherd of Marion, Doris (Mike) Anderson of Sherwood, and Glenn (Sherry) Shepherd of Forrest City, with a host of kinsfolks and close family friends.