Jodi Renee Bateman-Forney

Jodi Renee Bateman-Forney, beloved wife, daughter, sister, friend and teacher passed away peacefully in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma. She was 57.

Born on September 12, 1967, in Charleston, South Carolina, and raised in Augusta, Georgia, Jodi’s life was defined by her faith, love for others, and sense of adventure and humor. She graduated from the College of Charleston in 1988 and later earned her master’s degree in education from the University of South Carolina.

Her passion for teaching led her to classrooms in Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina, and later to leadership roles in Charleston County School District, where she served as the Director of School to Careers and a teacher recruiter. Her career eventually expanded globally, where she worked with her husband as both a teacher and administrator in international schools.

In 2007, Jodi married Edward P. (Ned) Forney and together in 2010 they embarked on an extraordinary journey that took them across the globe, living in Cairo, Dubai, Beijing, and Seoul. Over the course of 12 years overseas, Jodi embraced every opportunity to explore new cultures and connect with the local people.

A breast cancer survivor, Jodi was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer, in 2020 while living in Seoul, South Korea. After receiving her initial treatment there, she returned to her hometown of Charleston in 2022 to continue her fight at the Medical University of South Carolina. Throughout it all, she remained resilient, hopeful, positive, and full of grace.

Jodi was also a passionate cyclist and philanthropist. She founded Pattison’s Ride, a cycling event that raised over $1.7 million for Pattison’s Academy, a local school for children with developmental disabilities. Her compassion for helping others was felt around the world.

She enjoyed gardening, water-skiing, hiking, spending time with family and friends at her parent’s home on Lake Burton, having fellowship with her friends at First Scots, and sharing her light and love with everyone she met. Jodi was also known for her love of dogs.

She is survived by her loving husband Ned, her devoted mother Sharon Bateman, her sister Ashley Cusick (John) of Westfield, New Jersey, sister Kim Baker of San Antonio, Texas, nephews Jack and James Cusick, nieces Jessica and Ava Baker, and stepson Ben Forney. She was preceded in death by her father, Joel Bateman.

Her warmth, energy, and selfless spirit touched all who knew her and will continue to inspire those she leaves behind.

A memorial service will be held in Charleston this Saturday, June 7, at 2pm at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church downtown, where she was a member for 25 years. The service will be followed by a reception in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Pattison’s Academy, African Education Outreach (an education organization in Nigeria), or a cancer research or dog rescue organization of your choice.

Arrangements are by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mt. Pleasant Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.