WISE, VA                                          DECEMBER 10, 2025

Doniven Earl Bateman, 91, peacefully passed away early Tuesday, December 9, 2025 in his home.

He was born in Wise County where he lived most of his life.

Don worked hard all his life from the coal mines of VA to the Pepsi Plant in Norton and then all the way to the box factory in Baltimore, MD.

Don never met a stranger and would talk to everyone he met.

He was a member of Inner Harbor Church of God in Baltimore, MD and later a member of the Norton Church of God.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Rusha Holbrook Bateman; and siblings, Thelma, Charles Ervin, Ulysses, Garland, Robert and Virgil.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Rudell Stallard Bateman; along with two daughters, Carol Roberts and husband Eugene and Robyn Bateman and fiancée Robby Collins; five grandchildren, Amanda Edwards, Timothy Roberts, Kimberly Roberts, Joshua Roberts, and Alex Boggs; four great-grandchildren, Julie, Alissa, Desiree, and Owen; one great-great-grandchild, Penelope; three siblings, Imogene Gilliam, Carolyn Southworth, Fred Bateman, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services for Doniven Bateman will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Friday, December 12, 2025 at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, VA with Pastor Freddie Powers and Pastor Darrell Bolling officiating. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton, VA. Family will receive friends from 12:30 P.M. till time of services at 2:00 P.M. Friday, December 12, 2025 at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise, VA.

Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to leave online condolences for the family.

Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.