Anita Bateman Conner

Mrs. Anita Bateman Conner, 83, of Shuqualak, MS passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 after a long illness. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 23 at 2:00 P.M. from Soule Harbor Pentecostal Church in Shuqualak with Bro. Gerald Butler officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot in Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery near Gholson, MS. A period of visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. on Saturday at the church. The family requests No Flowers, Please. Any memorials may be sent to the charity of the donor’s choice. Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Mrs. Conner was born on February 5, 1930 to the late Miner and Beulah Eaves Bateman. She was a native of Noxubee County and lived there most of her life, with the exception of brief stays in Florida. She worked for over 16 years at the Macon Garment Plant. After her retirement, it was her pleasure to take care of her blind husband, Larry Lawrence Conner, who preceded her in death in August, 2012 after 65 years of marriage. She loved helping take care of her grandchildren and was an avid gardener who worked in her yard and flower-beds as long as her health permitted. Her greatest pleasure was serving her church and those around her. Her home and her heart was always open, with a smile or a word of comfort, to all who were in need. She was always ready to share her love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with all they met.

Anita Bateman Conner is survived by four daughters: Gloria Shelton and Sandra Poag, both of Cullman, Ala.; Patricia Boykin of Macon, MS ; Christie Sabinson of Nanih Waiya, MS and by one son: Larry Allen Conner of Shuqualak. She is also survived by one sister: Barbara Rahrig of Avon Park, FLA; thirteen grandchildren and twenty-eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and by six brothers: Arvil, Miner.Jr., Edward, Bobby, Harold, and Roy Bateman and by three sisters: Flora Bateman, Bertha Higginbotham, and Clara Robinson.

Her casket-bearers will be her grandsons: Johnny Shelton, Steve Shelton, Kenny Ray Boykin, Sonny Poag, Allen Conner, Derrick Conner, David Conner, Jonathan Misso and T.J. Hall.