Emily Tinsley

Emily George Tinsley, B.A. ’61, passed away on Dec. 23, 2025. Born in Beaumont, TX, on March 19, 1940, she was the eldest of three daughters born to Wiley Ransom George and Edith Allen George.

Tinsley’s keen interest in literature, education, culture and travel began in childhood. She kept journals at an early age, was a voracious reader and had a wide range of creative talents. Throughout her life, she was willing to roll up her sleeves and get involved in an array of projects that benefited from her knowledge and attention to detail.

She graduated from Houston’s Lamar High School before attending Baylor University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education, was active in the Alpha Omega sorority (now a chapter of Pi Beta Phi) and was named a Baylor Beauty.

During her freshman year at Baylor, Tinsley started dating 
Richard Tinsley, B.S. ’63. They married in August of 1960 and spent the next 63 years together, until Richard’s death in January 2023. Together, they raised two daughters, Robyn and Allison, traveled the world and spent cherished time with lifelong friends.

Tinsley taught high school English classes in the early years of their marriage before devoting the rest of her life to her family and extensive volunteer activities in numerous nonprofit organizations, charitable fund-raising events and other initiatives. 

She spent many years on the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System Board and Memorial Hermann Hospital System Board and was the founding chairman for the Memorial Hermann Annual Gala, an event that continues to raise millions of dollars each year for the Memorial Hermann Foundation.

Tinsley served as vice president of the Baylor Alumni Association and was the founding president of the Baylor University Women’s Association of Houston. She also served a nine-year term on the Board of Regents of Baylor University. She received the W. R. White Meritorious Service Award, the Herbert H. Reynolds Award and was named a Distinguished Alumna of Baylor’s School of Education. 

She was recognized by the City of Houston for outstanding volunteer leadership for her efforts on behalf of the Institute of Religion and Health, Interface Samaritan Counseling Centers and the Assistance League of Houston, among many others.

Tinsley grew up attending South Main Baptist Church, and she and Richard returned to South Main after attending Tallowood Baptist Church while they raised their daughters in Houston’s Memorial area.