Her biological parents are unknown. She was taken into the A. J. Wheeler family and raised like a sister to the Wheeler boys (they called her "Sis"), but was apparently never legally adopted, nor included in the Wheeler estate, nor buried in the Wheeler family cemetery plot. After she married George Wilson in 1910, she had a son Austin, but none of the 3 or 4 children born thereafter lived more than just a few days. The couple adopted a daughter Flora. Near Birdie's grave can be found 3 small grave markers with only the name "BABY". Family records indicate that 2 of these infants were girls: (Lula Beatrice, b.1914, & Lesta Althea, b. 1925); the other 1 or 2 were possibly unnamed stillbirths. Having one successful birth and adopting their daughter Flora, Birdie attempted one more time to have a successful birth. Her last child, Lesta was born on 30 Oct 1925, but died on 1 Nov., with Birdie dying 1 week later on 8 Nov. indicating complications from childbirth.
Her obituary appeared in the Corning Observer, 9 Nov 1925:
MRS. WILSON IS VICTIM OF FEW DAYS OF ILLNESS
Wife of George B. Wilson Passed Away Early Yesterday Morning Following Brief Illness of Only Few Days.
Mrs. Beatrice Wilson, wife of George B. Wilson, died at their home at 1117 Peach street, yesterday morning at 6:30 o’clock of abscess of the liver, augmented and complicated by the birth of a daughter on October 30, and who died on November 1.
Mrs. Wilson was 33 years of age, and the adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Wheeler of this city. She had lived the most of her life here where she became the bride of Mr. Wilson.
Besides her foster parents and husband, she leaves a son and an adopted daughter.
The funeral will be held at 2:30 tomorrow at the family residence, Rev. T. M. Jones officiating and interment made in Sunset Hill.
Family links:
Spouse:
George Benton Wilson (1884 - 1964)*
Children:
Austin G Wilson (1911 - 1984)*
*Calculated relationship
Inscription: Mother Loving Wife of Geo B Wilson
