Martha Stephens "Gaga" Bateman

Martha (Poe) Stephens Bateman, "Gaga", age 96, passed away Sunday, May, 7th, 2023. She was born in Knoxville March 31, 1927, to Archie M. and Rosa Lee Poe. She graduated from Old Knoxville High and attended the University of Tennessee. She married her high school sweetheart, Buster Stephens, in 1945, and they raised their two children in the North Knoxville area until the early 70's when they hand built a house in the Ten Mile area on Watts Bar Lake. She loved having friends and family down to "the lake," hosting many college bowl game get-togethers and a huge Bridge Club party every year. Martha loved her Tennessee Vols Football, keeping her season tickets until 2014! She also loved taking trips, especially to Las Vegas, where she started an annual girls trip in 1984 with her daughter Janet, best friend Virginia Bean, and Gin's daughter Sherry Larue, missing only one or two years out of thirty. Martha was lucky enough to find love twice in life. In 2001, she married Wayne Bateman, who she reconnected with at a high school reunion. She was a spitfire and knew now stranger. A two year resident of The Pointe Lifespring, she was a favorite among the staff among the staff, forging familial relationships with many of her caregivers, including special friend Olivia Fisher. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Archie M. and Rosa Lee Poe; sister, Charlotte Poe Hair; niece, Janie Hair; husband, Thomas V. "Buster" Stephens, and husband Wayne Bateman. She is survived by son, Thomas "Mack" (Thavy) Stephens; daughter, Janet (Charlie) Jeffers; grandchildren, Samantha Stephens, Megan (Chris) Martin, and TK Stephens, Rick (Stephanie) Jones, Amanda (Mike) Davenport, Janet Braun, and Denise Jeffers; great-grandchildren, William White, Dee, Kaylee, Michael and Cora Martin, Isabella Jones, Hayden and Claire Davenport, Niclas Braun, and Alena Jeffers; nephew, Ray Hair; and special friends, Sherry Larue, Katy Jeffers, and Barbara Wayland. The family and friends will meet at 10:45 am Thursday May 11, 2023, at Greenwood Cemetery for an 11:00 am graveside service with Rev. John Justice presiding. In leiu of flowers please consider donating to The Pointe at Lifespring Caregiver Recreation Fund (Gaga's Pickleball Court) at 4371 Lifespring Lane, Knoxville, TN 37918. Online obituary may be viewed and condolences extended at www.rosefuneraltn.com.