Colonel Thomas "Scott" Bateman

(January 30, 1932 – January 17, 2026)

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Eminence Methodist Church in Seminary for Colonel Thomas "Scott" Bateman, 93 of Seminary, who peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at his residence after a courageous 14- year battle with myasthenia gravis and Alzheimer's disease.

Reverend Tommy Robinson and Reverend Rodney Smith will be conducting the services with interment to follow in the Eminence Methodist Church Cemetery in Seminary with full military rites at graveside.  Special music will be provided by Mrs. Charley Sue Speed.  Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins will be in charge of the arrangements.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Eminence Methodist Church, 1381 Highway 535 in Seminary, Mississippi, 39479.

Pallbearers will be Scotty Bateman, Landon Case, Joe Drew, Sean Frogner, Scott Frogner, and David Reynolds.

Colonel Bateman graduated from Mississippi State College in 1953, and was commissioned into the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lt.  He became a pilot, with over 12,000 hours of flying time, mainly flying KC-135 refuelers.  Stationed across the United States and Japan, including three deployments to Vietnam over his almost 24-year career.  His last assignment was at the Pentagon.  His numerous awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medals, Air Medals, and many other various medals and awards.

After retirement from the USAF, Colonel Bateman became the Director of the Telecommunications department at the University of Southern Mississippi from 1978 through 1987.  He led the upgrading of the telephone and computer networks during his tenure.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Thomas Cranford and Scottie Ann Bass Bateman; his stepfather, Cescro Clinton (Bob) Bateman; one sister, Karen Lynn Reynolds; and one grandson, Adam Scott Bateman.

Survivors include his wife of seventy years, Shirley Ann Drew Bateman of Seminary; one daughter, Cheryl Lynn Bateman Ashby (Steve) of Ocean Springs; two sons, Kyle Scott Bateman, MD (Macie) of Dauphin Island, Alabama and Robert Scott Bateman of New Orleans, Louisiana; one sister, Anna Marie Kern (Gary); a brother-in-law, David Reynolds (Kathi); six grandchildren, Amy Nichole Robinson (Tommy), Holly Beth Bateman, Lauren Beth Cowart, Mari Megan Case (Landon), Brittany MaeAnn Bateman, Kyle Scott Bateman, Jr, (Hannah);eight great- grandchildren, Ashby, Thomas, and Robert Robinson; Alli and Adam Case; Ashlyn Cowart; Evie and Trase Webb; and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members.

The family appreciates the devoted caretakers, Kim Klinghammer, Gloria Wheeler, and Ethel Coleman; Forrest General Hospice; and Dr. Billy Mack Pickering for their kind and loving care.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Eminence Methodist Church, C/O Alicia Sanford (Church Treasurer), 340 Craft Road, Collins, MS 39428

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.billymkingcolonialchapel.com