Tulsa Teacher, Historian Eddie Faye Gates Dies At 87

Tulsa Historian and Educator Eddie Faye Gates have died.

She leaves a legacy of documenting the stories of Tulsa Race Massacre survivors. The collection of her interviews and notes was donated last year to Gilcrease Museum, which is digitizing and indexing her research.

A collection of stories she wrote, accompanied by pictures by Don Thompson, is on display now on the OSU Tulsa campus.

Oklahoma State Senator Kevin Matthews, who led the Race Massacre Centennial Commission, said “She could not only write those stories, but she could tell them in a way that you would listen and be inspired. She was a great woman who will truly be missed."

 Gates took on the task of recording survivor stories when no one else was, and defended the survivors who were initially blamed for starting the violence. “They suffered greatly and to have the only written report blame it on them was terrible,” said Gates.

 Funeral services have not been announced. Mrs. Gates had been in poor health for several years before her death last Thursday.