William W. Bates Reunion, Shelby Co. Cemeteries of TX

There will be a family reunion of the family of William W. Bates who was born in Georgia and died In Shelby CO, TX. This will be held on Saturday, June 3rd in Joaquin, TX (will announce definite site later) beginning at 10:00 AM. You will need to bring a covered dish, cokes or tea and the paper goods will be supplied. Bring your stories, genealogy, photos, cameras and other monemtos that you wish to share. There will be a speaker on the DNA project that my nephew, Robert E. Bates, JR. was involved with. There will be a question and answer session, a photo time, lunch, a way to copy other family member's items. For this year, this will be only a one day event; however in the future with folks scattered all over the USA, it might turn into a weekend event. William W. (Billy) Bates married 5 times, had one real brother John Hardy Bates and 2 sons: John David Bates and Larkin Bates(who are half brothers). There was a daughter that I know only as M.J. Bates.(Can you help)? William W. Bates' father was David Bates and his mother was Rebecca C. Smith. After David died in Georgia, Rebecca married John Welch and the two combined families moved to Shelby County, TX. They in turn had a couple of Welch children. All members of this clan, Bates' and Welch's are invited to attend. Please spread the word and email me for more details. This is the first time that a reunion for all the family of David and Rebecca Bates (Welch) will be held that I know of.