Ruth Marie Bateman

Ruth Marie Bateman, 81, of Columbus, GA died Friday, December 16, 2022 at Orchard View.

A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family in the spring at Brookside Cemetery in Watertown, NY.

Ruth was born July 25, 1941 in Redwood, NY to Harold and Laura Zimmer Flath. She graduated from Redwood High School in 1959 and then attended the Watertown School of Commerce from 1959 to 1960, receiving a certificate in accounting. She married E. Timothy Barber in July of 1961; the marriage ended in divorce. Ruth married John T. Bateman on June 13, 2009 at the Emmanuel Congregational Church with Rev. Patricia Farr officiating. John died October 15, 2011.

After working for ten years as an accountant clerk at the Jefferson Lewis Boces, Ruth worked as a senior account clerk for Jefferson County Audit Department for 13 years, retiring in November of 1999.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Brenda Lee Barber who died in April of 2005.

Survivors include a son, Richard “Todd” Barber (Fiancé, Kristen Eisenhauer) of Boston, MA; daughter, Ann Chapman (Gregory Chapman) of Columbus, GA; brother, H. Leonard Flath of Albany; grandchildren, Emily Anne Chapman, Anna Belle, Timothy Jacob “Jake” Barber; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and 3 stepsons.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Emmanuel Congregational Church, 119 S. Hamilton St. Watertown, NY 13601, where Ruth was a choir member for 25 years, or Striplin Terrace UMC, 4170 Striplin Terrace Dr. Columbus, GA 31909 where she was a member for the last 9 years.