Charlie Bateman

(From Nelson Funeral Service)

Charlie Mathis Bateman was born November 17, 1940, in Springhill, Louisiana to his parents James William and Percy (Suttle) Bateman. Charlie passed away September 18, 2026, in Golden, Missouri.

Charlie graduated from Springhill High School in 1958 and then attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston where he obtained a chemical engineering degree. It was while he was attending college he met Martha, who was still attending Springhill High School. After a three-year courtship, Charlie and Martha married on June 2, 1963. The very next day, Charlie graduated from college and the day after that he and Martha moved across the country to Seaford, Delaware where Charlie had accepted a position with the DuPont Company.

The newlyweds spent the next 3 ½ years there before Charlie took a position with Exxon International, a company he worked for the next 29 years. From new hire to Marketing Manager and finally sitting on the board of directors, Charlie devoting himself and God’s favor was upon him. Over his years working for Exxon Charlie and Martha spent seven years in Aruba. This is where their first son, Chris, was born in 1971. Three years later their second son Jay was born. The next assignments included San Salvador in El Salvador, Buenos Airies in Argentina, Columbia in South America and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Charlie retired from Exxon in 1996 to his mountain home in Golden, Missouri and his coastal home in Naples, Florida. He has great friends in both places.

Charlie shared a strong heritage of the Lord. His parents were both believers in Jesus and Charlie accepted Christ at a very young age. He and Martha raised their sons to have their same confident faith, and they are passing that on to Charlie and Martha’s grandchildren and hopefully it will continue for many generations to come.

Charlie was grateful and thankful daily for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He understood all that the Lord had done for him and he very much wanted to share that goodness with others. Charlie truly tried to live his life as a blessing.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Martha Bateman of Golden, Missouri, his son Charles Christopher Bateman and wife Emily of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, his son James Bryant Bateman and wife Amanda of Longview, Texas, along with his 4 grandchildren; Austin, Hunter, Bella, and Ryker. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents James and Percy Bateman, and his 2 brothers; Jimmy Bateman and Johnny Bateman.

Graveside service will be Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 12:00 pm at the Eureka Springs Cemetery in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Memorial donations can be made to Full Faith Food Pantry, PO Box 3241, Holiday Island, Arkansas 72631. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to nelsonfuneral.com. © Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2026.