Afton Jones Bateman, 95, passed from this life on January 22, 2019, in St. George, Utah. She was born in 1923 in Cedar City, Utah to H. Marvin and Lucy Esplin Jones. She married Alfred Van Orden (Orden) Bateman on May 21, 1946 in the St. George Temple.

Afton spent her life in service to others and served in many organizations in the community and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She volunteered her time working in the VFW Auxiliary and in many church assignments, including service as Stake Relief Society President. In her later years, she indexed over 60,000 names for the Family Search program.

Afton loved to read, cook, and especially enjoyed reading cook books. She and Orden were charter members of the Red Rock Road Runners RV group; she enjoyed traveling and camping. She always enjoyed learning new things. Together, Afton and Orden took French classes and learned how to weave on a loom. She even taught some of her grandchildren to knit, crotchet, and weave. Interacting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her great joy, especially throughout the last few years of her life. She loved spending time with family and friends. People energized her. Afton loved to play games and formed a game playing group with other widows; she continued playing games until two days before her passing, still winning her hand at cards. She loved her family and was fortunate to spend her final years living with her son and daughter-in-law, Lynn and Kris.

Afton is survived by her three children: Candace (Duane) Hansen, Lynn (Kris) Bateman, and Mary (Rob) Merrill; 9 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; and her younger brother, Donald E. Jones.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, 26 January 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pine View Stake Center, 595 No. 2450 E., St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held prior to services from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery.