Our Founding Mother

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I've shared stories about my paternal grandmother, Bessie Bates, yet her remarkable legacy deserves revisitation. We grandchildren affectionately called her "Nannie," and she was a person of immense strength, resilience, and unwavering determination.

Facing societal stigmas as a divorcee in the early 1920s, Bessie navigated life gracefully, refusing to allow judgment to define her. She suffered an unimaginable tragedy when a doctor's wrongful accusation of neglect, resulting from the loss of one of her twin sons, Milburn. Such an event could have broken anyone's spirit, but Nannie used it as a catalyst to showcase her true character through resilience and purposeful living.

Her surviving twin, Wilburn, became the embodiment of her nurturing strength. He inherited and expertly managed the family florist business, Bates Florist, guiding it to success for decades. The family legacy continued with my aunt, Vivian, who led the florist well into the early 2000s. My five cousins, Wilburn Jr., Phil, Mike, Betsy, and Phyllis, each played their part in maintaining this cherished family endeavor.

My mother Ellen, and father, Earl Bates, Nannie's eldest son, further enriched our family tree with five children: Richard, David, Mark, Joe, and Evan. Each of us inherited our grandmother's indomitable spirit, reflecting her strength and resilience in our lives.

Bessie Bates’ influence extended well beyond our family. She broke new ground as the founding president of the first Parent Teacher Organization at Nashville's Tarbox School in 1930/31, advocating for education and community involvement.

During the dark days of the Great Depression, Bessie showed visionary courage by convincing my grandfather to mortgage their home for $200 to build a hothouse. This bold investment was fully repaid after the successful spring season of 1933, symbolizing triumph over adversity.

Bessie Bates’ life is a testament to courage, determination, and visionary leadership, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire us all.

On Saturday morning, we celebrate all moms; live at 8 AM, we engage mom’s gardening questions…with answers: “Gardening Inside Out”. Listen to our Podcast anytime! Follow and contact us:  Facebook.  YouTube.  Instagram.

David Bates