Nina Hortez Virginia Moffitt Bateman, 97, of Franklin, NC, passed away on June 19, 2026, at her home.

Hortez was a native of Macon County, born to the late Charles A. and Inez Dillard Moffitt on Feb. 11, 1929. She was raised in the Asbury Methodist Church and graduated from Franklin High School in 1948.

She married Garland Bateman on Dec. 29, 1948, and helped him operate the family farm, located in the Hickory Knoll Community. She was a member of the Hickory Knoll Methodist Church and committed her life to her faith, family, and farm. She was her family’s prayer warrior.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Garland, in 2014; their infant son, Harry, in 1953; her siblings, and their spouses, Howard Moffitt (Zelma), Mildred Richardson (Bill), Wilma Teague (Elmon), and Kate Rowe (Bradford).

Hortez is survived by her three daughters, Deborah B. Smith (Bennie) of Otto, Margaret B. Massie (Tom) of Sylva, and Nancy Bateman of Franklin. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Tracy S. Dendy (Jason) and a great-granddaughter, Sarah Dendy, both of Otto; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Family would like to express gratitude to Emily, Liane, April, Brandi and the entire Four Searson Hospice staff, for the care and assistance they provided. In addition, special thanks go to all the farmers and other workers who helped her maintain the farm after her husband’s death.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 10-10:30 am at Hickory Knoll Methodist Church. A funeral service will follow at the church at 10:30 am. Rev. Stephanie Thompson will officiate. Burial will be at Hickory Knoll Memorial Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Nelse Bates, Scott Campbell, Jeremy Decker, Bobby Ledford, Mitchell Mashburn, and Ed Styles. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Barry Bateman, Larry Conley, and Larry Shope.

As one of our mother’s favorite songs, “Just A Rose Will Do”, written by J.A. McClung states, “I’ll go to a beautiful garden, at last when life’s work is thru…. don’t spend your money for flowers, just a rose will do.” Therefore, in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church C/O Alan Vinson, 1050 River Valley Rd, Otto, NC 28763 or Hickory Knoll Memorial Cemetery, P.O. Box 26, Otto, NC, 28763.

Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.