Bedie Runnels Bates

b. circa 1863, d. 2 December 1892
  • Bedie Runnels Bates was born circa 1863 in Grimes County, Texas.
  • Her name was recorded as Daisy.
  • Bagwell L. DeFreese and Isa Runnels appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Anderson PO, Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Bedie Runnels Bates, Henry Bates, Franklin T. Bates, Charles Allen DeFreese and Albert B. DeFreese.
  • Bedie Runnels Bates appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Winchester, Virginia, attending Rev. James Clifton Wheat's Episcopal Female Institute.
  • The following appeared on 30 September 1881 in The Galveston Daily News: (Houston, Sept. 29) Hon. W. R. Baker returned last night from Washington, D. C., accompanying Miss Daisy Bates, who has just completed her education in Virginia. Mayor Baker was present in Washington at the obsequies of the late President J. A. Garfield.
  • She married Marshall Tankersley, son of Benjamin Franklin Tankersley and Gertrude Arrick, on 4 September 1882 in Harris County, Texas.
  • Bedie Runnels Bates died on 2 December 1892 in Houston, Harris County, Texas.
  • Her husband Marshall Tankersley became a widower at her death.
  • The following appeared on 3 December 1892 in The Galveston Daily News: (Houston, Dec. 2) This afternoon those who heard of it were shocked at the news of the death of Mrs. Daisey Tankersley, wife of the Hon. Marshall Tankersley of this city. It occurred about 1 o'clock this afternoon under circumstances that were peculiarly distressing. She was taken sick several weeks ago and had a hard struggle, but finally began to recover. It was an attack of fever. She became able to walk about the house and was supposed to be doing well, when she was taken with a relapse and passed away at the hour named. She leaves a sorrowing husband, three little children and four brotherrs, Frank and Hal Bates and William and Albert De Freese, to mourn her death.
         She had lived many years in this city and was warmly beloved by a large circle of friends. Her bitth place was Grimes county, and she was a superb specimen of Texas womanhood. She was a niece of the lamented W. R. Baker, whose death occurred here several years ago and made vacant a place in the first rank of Houston citizenship.
         The funeral will take place to-morrow forenoon at 10 o'clock from the family residence at the corner of Dallas avenue and LaBranch street.
         The pallbearers selected are Dr. Tom Robinson, Robert Lockart, J. J. Chow, G. C. Street, B. R. Latham and L. J. Cox. Rev. Mr. Rogers, rector of Christ Episcopal church, will conduct the service.
  • She was interred at Glenwood Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas.
  • Last Edited: 26 Dec 2012

Family: Marshall Tankersley b. January 1855, d. 21 March 1913