Garland Bateman, 95, of Franklin passed away on March 1, 2014 at his home.

Born in Nantahala, NC, on December 25, 1918, he was the son of the late T.A. Bateman and Mallie Waters Bateman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, George, Thea, Andrew, Oscar, Claude, Gene, Nannie Morrow, Milam Wilkie and Lallie Raby. He was a US Army veteran of WWII serving with the 32nd 'Red Arrow' Infantry Division in the Philippines and with the occupying force in Japan. He was a dairy farmer and a member of Hickory Knoll United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Hortez Moffitt Bateman; three daughters, Deborah B. Smith (Bennie) of Otto, Margaret B. Massie (Tom) of Sylva and Nancy Bateman of Franklin; one granddaughter, Tracy S. Dendy (Jason) of Otto; one great granddaughter, Sarah Dendy; sister, Lucy VanHook of Franklin and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at Hickory Knoll United Methodist Church. Larry Raby will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites conducted by the VFW Post 7339 and American Legion Post 108.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers will be nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Hickory Knoll United Methodist Church, PO Box 26, Otto, NC 28763.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.