Mary Bateman

The life and legacy of Mary Ellen Bateman will go on through her service to her community and family. Mary passed away August 1, 2024, at the age of 91. God blessed Mary with a wonderful life of love. Mary was born in Cardiff by the Sea, near San Diego, California, on July 27, 1933. She spent her young years swimming at the beach. By her teenage years, she moved to Grants Pass, Oregon with her mother and step-father, where they raised dairy cows. On June 8, 1951, Mary graduated from Grants Pass High School and married Richard Lloyd Bateman the same day. 

Mary was a devoted, loving wife and mother. Mary and Richard had three daughters over a span 17 years. She graduated from Fresno State University at the age of 42 and then had her third daughter. Mary and Richard had many adventures together. Mary was always supportive of Richards’s assignments with the Forest Service and USDA in places like Gold Beach, Or., Los Banos, Ca., Puerto Rico, Peshawar, Pakistan, and Lincoln, Ne. During their travels, Mary worked as a teacher’s assistant, bank teller, legal secretary, home-school mom and English as a second language teacher to Pakistani men at University.

God blessed Mary with many talents. She was a skilled Master gardener for he Oregon State Extension Service where she volunteered to teach home-canners. She also was a trained volunteer firefighter for Cedar Valley. Mary was an excellent bowler, swimmer, singer, horse-person and quilter. She once bowled a perfect game of 300 in league play. One of her favorite parts of retirement was Duck Football games, Bible Studies with her sisters in Christ and spending time with her grandkids. They loved exploring her ten acres finding critters and eating her yummy pies and cookies. Mary and Richard were married nearly 68 years before he passed away on April 11, 2019.

One of Mary’s greatest accomplishments was her service to her church. She enjoyed volunteering in different areas and singing for the congregation. In her 80s, she continued helping with Vacation Bible School, tutoring children and working in the kitchen. Mary was faithful to take her children to church to help them discover their need for our Savior Jesus Christ. Mary and Richard are survived by three daughters, Donna Kay, Diana Palmer, and Mary Vaughn. They have 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She will always be treasured, loved and missed. Her family is so happy that she is now completely at peace worshipping and singing for her LORD.