Thomas Franklin "Tommy" Bateman, 84,  passed away on Thursday, March 30th at his home surrounded by his family.

Visitation with family will be Saturday, April 1st at 2pm in the Pisgah United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall with a memorial service in the sanctuary at 3pm.

Mr. Bateman was born in Florence, South Carolina, the son of the late Louis and Mildred Jeffords Bateman. He was a member of Pisgah United Methodist Church. He served in the South Carolina Army National Guard's 133 Military Police Unit, Timmonsville, SC for 32 years. He was a founding member of the West Florence Volunteer Fire Department and the Florence Rescue Squad. Tommy was an entrepreneur in Florence providing excellence in floor covering for 60 years. Tommy was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed boating and taking cruises with his wife and family. Close to his heart were his beloved Pomeranians and most recently his cats, Sassy and Cuddles.

Surviving are his wife of 37 years, Margie Gainey Bateman; son, Thomas McLendon "Mack" Bateman, Sr.; daughter, Catherine "Cathy" Bateman Norton; step-daughter, Denise Poston; sister, Mildred Bateman Lewis and his grandchildren, Ty(Natalie), Brian(Carla), Megan(Derek), Fletcher(Jacob), Thomas, Dargan, Frank and Shane(Kristin); and 6 great-grandchildren and an multitude of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He is preceded in death by his brothers, Louis Albert, Jr "Bubba", Samuel Jeffords "Jeff", William Cannon "Billy" Bateman.

You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.laytonandersonfh.com

Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, 4210 W. Palmetto Street, Florence, SC  29501