Sara Hays Bateman, 76, left this life peacefully surrounded by her family on June 2, 2021, at Lakewood Retirement Community in Henrico, VA. Sara was an educator her entire life, working more than 30 years in Waynesboro Public Schools, where she developed and implemented Waynesboro's elementary school counseling program among numerous other roles. Sara was a lifelong Baptist and shared her talents, faith and love for God in several different churches including First Baptist Waynesboro, where she served on the staff for several years after she retired as an elementary school counselor.

Sara was a nineteen year brain cancer survivor who bravely battled the long term side effects of her treatment. She donated her brain to the University of Virginia Cancer Research Center and after cremation will be buried at Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Steeles Tavern, VA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl William Hays and Elizabeth Austin Hays. She will lovingly be remembered by her husband, William L. Bateman of Henrico, her sons Mark L. Fitzgerald (Kari) of Clover, SC, Adam W. Bateman (Kristen) of Glen Allen and John C. Bateman (Melissa) of Chesterfield. "MeMe" will also be remembered by her grandchildren, Dash, Story, Jack, Caroline, Noah and Luke, and by her many cousins in the Austin and Hays families.

The family would like to thank her many caregivers at Lakewood for their loving care during the past 5 years. A memorial service will be held at Second Baptist Church in Henrico on Sunday, June 13 ^th , at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made either to First Baptist Church, 301 S. Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980 or Second Baptist Church, 9614 River Road, Henrico, VA 23229.