Robert Stanley Bateman, 73, beloved husband of 49 ½ years to Gloria Enter Bateman, departed this earth for his Heavenly home on the 11th of July 2016. Born on the 23rd of July 1942 in Sumter, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Robert Lee and Lizzie Nunnery Bateman. Robert was a graduate of Edmunds High School and the University of South Carolina. He worked with Sumter County School District 2 and retired from Cutler-Hammer (Eaton). He was a member of Alice Drive Baptist Church. Robert was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather and a good friend to countless others. Survivors include his son Bryan (Tara) Bateman of Irmo, South Carolina, four grandchildren, Aubrey, Tyler, Brenna Bateman and Andrew Bateman. He is also survived by a sister, Francis Bateman and Uncle Arthur (Jean) Nunnery. Robert was predeceased by his son Patrick Lee Bateman, a sister Audrey Bateman Stevenson and brother David Lee Bateman. The family is grateful for the attention and care he received from the Intensive Care doctors, nurses and staff of Palmetto Health Tuomey Hospital. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 13th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home, 515 Miller Road, Sumter, SC 29150. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, July 14th at Grace Baptist Church 219 W Calhoun Street, Sumter, SC 29150. A graveside service will follow at Sumter Cemetery, 700 W Oakland Avenue, Sumter, SC 29151. Honorary Pallbearers are Jay Christmas, Marvin Haley, Ingram Haley, Jerry Jackson, Buddy Nalley, and Mitch Collins. Pallbearers will be nephews: Daniel Cantlon, Seth Paxton, Josh McCall, John Pearson, Roy Bowman and Justin Leckie. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org; or Alice Drive Baptist Church, 1305 Loring Mill Road, Sumter, SC 29150 Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter are in charge of the arrangements.