The proposed relationship of Bessie L Tilley as the mother of
Thomas Elzy "tom" Keeling Jr,
Billie Jean Keeling and
Bennie Joseph Keeling is supported by DNA evidence indicating shared ancestry within the family lines.
Specifically, DNA evidence confirms a 1st cousin, once removed relationship between PS (a descendant of the Billie Jean Keeling ancestral line) and SJ (a descendant of the Thomas Elzy "tom" Keeling Jr ancestral line) with 439.80 cM of shared DNA across 12 HIR segments.
It also confirms a 1st cousin relationship between JK (a descendant of the Bennie Joseph Keeling ancestral line) and SJ (a descendant of the Thomas Elzy "tom" Keeling Jr ancestral line) with 857.80 cM of shared DNA across 27 HIR segments.
These matches are consistent with their placement within these shared ancestral branches.