Cecil Onis Bateman, 86, of Bartlett, TN, died Sunday, September 11, 2022, at his home. He was born January 5,1936, in Boydsville, AR, to Cecil and Dolphia (McLeskey) Bateman.

After graduating high school in Arkansas, he moved to Memphis to attend business college and wait for his high school sweetheart Lou to graduate and marry him on June 19,1955. Most of his professional life was in accounting and auditing work, but his real love was music. He played the piano, wrote songs (three of which he had copyrighted) and faithfully sang baritone in his church choir at Bellevue Baptist, serving as a section leader and welcoming new members. He was a devoted husband, loyal friend, and a loving and kind father to two daughters.

He is survived by his wife Lou (Simpson) Bateman; daughters Lou Ann (Richard) Goad and Lara (Todd) McKinley, all of Bartlett, TN; grandchildren, Matthew (John) Goad of St. Louis, MO, Michael (Samantha) Goad of Cordova, TN, Ashlyn (Paul) Presley of Memphis, TN, Morgan Goad of Memphis, TN, Tyler (Destiny) McKinley of Memphis, TN, Kaitlyn (Jacob) LaFosse of Middleton, TN, Kyle McKinley of Bartlett, TN, his long-time best friend Jim Holcomb of Bartlett, TN, and six great-grandchildren. His brother Boyce Bateman and sister Vi Brewer preceded him in death.

Services will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2022 in the chapel at Bellevue Baptist Church (Cordova, TN). Visitation will begin at 11 a.m.followed by the funeral at noon. Interment will be at Memphis Memory Gardens on Raleigh-LaGrange Road immediately following the service.