Nearly all we know of "Grandma Rakestraw's" life comes to us from her obituary,1 possibly written by a caring pastor in consultation with her family.  We don't know for certain where the obituary was published. Our copy of a typewriter-transcription of the original is entitled, "Grandma Rakestraw's Obituary":

Roseanna Elizabeth Bailey was born June 24, 1848 in Jefferson County, Tennessee.  She grew to womanhood in her native state and was married to Samuel Shober Rakestraw on January 3, 1869.  They continued to reside in Tennessee until March 17, 1884, at which time they, with their young family moved to the state of Kansas, settling on a farm near Floral, Cowley County, where they reared their family.

Her husband preceded her to that better land by 12 years.  Grandma Rakestraw moved to Wichita, Kansas, November 15, 1919 to make her home with a daughter, Mrs. H.W. Landis, where she died Thursday, May 15, 1928 at the age of 79 years, 8 months, 21 days.

Grandma Rakestraw was the mother of 10 children, all of whom are still living.  Four sons, Will, of Arkansas City, Kansas, Jake of Beaumont, Kansas, James of Lamar, Missouri, and George of Wichita, Kansas.  Six daughters, Mrs. Laura Deichman, Mrs. Nannie Butterworth, Mrs. Bertie Landis, all of Wichita, Kansas, Mrs. Martha Simpson of Lockwood, Missouri, Mrs. Ida Stevens of Colome, South Dakota, Mrs. Bessie Marchael of Los Angeles, California.  She also leaves one sister, Mrs. J. W. Holloway of New Salem, Kansas.  Two brothers, W. F. Hartman of Weir City, Kansas, and John Hartman of California.

She also leaves 49 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Mother Rakestraw became a Christian early in life and united with the Baptist Church near her Tennessee home.  Upon moving to Kansas she and her husband became identified with the Floral Baptist Church until the end.  Faithful, Tender, Patient and Loving to the last, Mother Rakestraw has truly entered into that rest which awaits the People of God.

Research done by Elva (Moore) Templeton differs in two details from the above obituary: she places the birthplace of "Roseannah" Bailey in Clark County, Missouri, in the far north-eastern corner of the state, citing her death certificate. This, rather than "Jefferson County" – a neighboring county to her father's birthplace in Hawkins County, in east Tennessee. Since her seventh child, Nancy Ellen Rakestraw was born in White Pine, Jefferson County, Tennessee in 1881,2 we'll assume the above narrative is, in the main, accurate.

We should note that Roseanna's daughter Nancy Ellen was called by her family nickname, above, her sisters were, in fact, christened Laura Leanna, Martha Jane, Ida May, Bessie Flora and Bertie Belle.

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We're just beginning to compile this Rakestraw line, descended from Nancy Rakestraw. Please check back soon, or write us with specific questions or contributions.

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Notes:

1) (0178) "Grandma Rakestraw's Obituary," manuscript, unknown author, 1928.
2) (0179) "Rakestraw-Butterworth," Templeton, Elva V., ca. 1990.