Michael Tate Balentine, beloved father, went home to be with Jesus on April 27, 2024. He was the son of the late Charles W and Ella Mae Balentine. He is also preceded in death by a brother, Charles Balentine, Jr.
Mike was friendly and kind to others and had a nice smile and a good sense of humor.
In his youth he was a member of the high school band and was an excellent trumpet player.
He enjoyed working at his father’s Shell Gas Station in the 1960s, along with his brothers. He later worked at Champion Paper Mill for 20 yrs., and after leaving, had his own lawn business until retiring. Mike was an excellent mechanic and enjoyed trying to fix things. He also enjoyed archery and was an adept archer. Mike also loved nature and had a good knowledge of trees, having studied forestry at college.
Mike is survived by his two daughters Susie Balentine and Michelle Norton; a son Curtis Balentine. Mike had 5 grandchildren, whom he loved and was loved by them, Tess A. Balentine, Taylor G. Balentine, Jacob M. Norton, Sierra E. Norton, and Lauren E. Norton. He is also survived by siblings, John C. Balentine (Susan), Beverly Balentine Brown. Mike was married to Betty Medford Balentine and later divorced yet they remained very close until her death.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
The care of Mr. Balentine has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville