Theresa Dale Laxton Bates

1926-2022

Theresa was born in Ringling, Oklahoma on September 5, 1926 to George R. and Tina B. Folsom.  She was lovingly called “Nanny” by her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She went to be with the Lord on January 11, 2022 at the age of 95 years.

Theresa met Kenneth Merritt Laxton at Muskogee Baptist Hospital, while he was a patient and she was in training to become a Registered Nurse (RN).  They married on March 22, 1947, and resided in Muskogee, OK where they raised their four children, Gary, Ken, David and Glen.  Special family time consisted of camping vacations, cabin time on the Illinois River and waterskiing and swimming on local lakes.  After 27 years of marriage, Kenneth passed from this life on August 17, 1974 following a battle with cancer.  Theresa later married Stanley E Bates on September 3, 1977.  They resided on Fort Gibson Lake near Wagoner, OK for several years before moving to Edmond.  Stan passed from this life on November 10, 1990.

Theresa was a loving mother and grandmother, a no-nonsense nurse, and a good friend.  She enjoyed gardening, and loved having beautiful flowers and plants growing in her yard and sunroom.  Nanny’s house was a joyous place for the family to gather, especially on holidays.  Theresa was a “Pink Lady” and volunteered at local hospitals taking blood pressures for the public.  For many years, well into Theresa’s eighties, you would find her most mornings at a local swimming pool, taking water aerobics classes with her exercise buddies.  Most importantly, Theresa was a member of the Edmond Church of Christ, faithfully attending until she lost her mobility.  She was a busy and active person who lived a full and happy life, and was very much loved by her family.

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents George and Tina Folsom, her husband Kenneth M. Laxton and her later husband Stanley R. Bates; her brothers Ray Folsom and wife Peggy; George Folsom and wife Wilma.

Survivors include her sisters:  Alma Sue Tatarian of Plano, Texas and Patricia Ann Austin of Madill, OK.  Sons:  Gary W. Laxton and wife Pat of Ft. Gibson, OK; Kenneth M. Laxton and wife Ruby of Oklahoma City; David W. Laxton and wife Cathy of Edmond; Glen L. Laxton and wife Connie of Kingston, OK.  Granddaughters:  Tracy Stagner and husband Ray of Edmond; Alicia Wells and husband Chris of Edmond; Gina Hatfield and husband John of Kingston, OK; Kellie Bailey and husband Jerry of Kingston; Rebecca Reynolds and husband Talon of Oklahoma City.  Grandsons:  Kevin Laxton of Oklahoma City; Damien Laxton of Edmond; Drew Laxton of Edmond; Derek Laxton and wife Alaina of St Louis, MO; Dustin Laxton and wife Dorothy of Oceanside, CA; Brandon Laxton and wife Miranda of Calera, OK and nineteen great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Edmond Church of Christ.

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