Bobby Lee Bateman

Bobby Lee Bateman, 92, of Beaver, WV departed this life on April 29, 2025. Bobby lived his life of Christian faith. He had his own relationship between himself and his Heavenly Father. Bobby was born October 28, 1932 in Kimball, WV, the son of the late Roy Lee and Dora Lee (Taylor) Bateman. 

Bobby grew up in Kimball, WV, attending Welch High School and Welch Vocational School. He lived in Shady Spring, WV and then moved to Beaver, WV where he lived for the remainder of his life. Bobby Lee was a knowledgeable, unique, outstanding hard working man. He was an individual that had seen many worldly places and accomplished many lifetime goals with plenty of interesting stories to tell about life throughout his 92 years journey on this earth.

Bobby began his working career in 1950, working as an auto mechanic for Pais Motor Company in Keystone, WV. Bobby was drafted into the United States Army Corp Division in 1952. He completed his basic training in Fort Knox, KY. He was assigned to Battery "C" 65th Armored Field Artillery Battalion - 3rd Armored Division. Bobby's military service career was during the Korean Conflict. He duty assignment was company B6 Infantry Regiment Division. Rising to the rank of Corporal, CPL Bobby Lee Bateman received the National Defense Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), and Good Conduct Metal (March 26, 1953 - March 23, 1955). Bobby was honorably discharged on March 23, 1955 and returned home to resume his career in the mining industry. Bobby was a proud life-long member of the UMWA Local 1330. Bobby worked several mining jobs before going to work for Consolidation Coal Company. He retired as a 21 year Union Coal Miner.

As life has many turns and events that happens. However, Bobby met and married the love of his life, Ms. Audrey Kendrick Bateman. Although life sent them down different pathways, Bobby and Audrey remained very close in love and friendship. The stayed in close contact and took care of each other through life's journey.

Bobby was preceded in death by his father and mother, Roy Lee and Dora Lee (Taylor) Bateman; brothers, Franklin Bateman and Kenneth Bateman; sister, Beatrice Bateman LeFlan; and his sister-in-law, Brenda Rae (White) Bateman.

Those left to cherish Bobby's memory are his brother, Jimmy Bateman, Sr. of Davin, WV; his soulmate, Audrey Bateman of Shady Springs, WV; nieces and nephews, Barbara Moore of Abingdon, VA, Bradley (Tammy) Bateman of Abingdon, VA, Jimmy (Trina) Bateman of Verner, WV; great-nieces and nephews, Lyndsey (Dustin) Lester of Gilbert, WV, Kaylee Bateman of Bluefield, WV, Jeffrey Bateman and Corey Bateman of Landville, WV; alone with many other nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; and one very special life-long friend whom Bobby though the world of.

The celebration of Bobby's life will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 5, 2025 at the Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum with Rev. Johnny Hatfield officiating. The Mercer County Veteran's Honor Guard will conduct crypt-side rites. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Bateman family.