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Person Page 1

Catherine Jo (Cathy) Woodhead

Female, born 15 September 1951, died 21 October 2018
General SourcesCatherine Jo (Cathy) Woodhead.1,2,3
Birth
15 September 1951; Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.2,3
Parents
Royal Spencer Woodhead and Margaret Kathryn Erb.2,3
Death21 October 2018; Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee.3
Obituary
Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 24 Oct 2018, page A14.
Catherine Jo Witmer (nee Woodhead) passed away on October 21 in Nashville. She was "Cathy" to most, "Mom" to a lucky few, but "Grammy" was her favorite name. Cathy was born on September 15, 1951 in Lansing, MI to Royal Spencer Woodhead Jr. of Brant Lake, NY and Margaret Kathryn Woodhead (nee Erb) of Saltsburg, PA. Cathy moved to Sevierville, TN with her family when she was 18 and became a Southerner. She married Robert "Jerry" Bryan in 1976, and in 1985 they moved to Bergen, Norway for two years, where she learned Norwegian and carted their three children on adventures around Europe. She lived almost a decade in Morgantown, WV before moving back home to East Tennessee. Cathy earned a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies in 1999 and a Master of Social Work in 2002 (the same year her youngest graduated high school), both from UT Knoxville. She had a passion for working with children and teens and spent many years at Youth Villages helping children and families in crisis. She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in July 2011. She remarried in January 2005 to her best friend Dale, and they found great joy in their dog children Max, Ender, Ziggy, and Macon. Cathy met the world with empathy, laughter, and occasionally outrage. She always had a hand to rub a dog's belly, arms to hold a grandbaby, a good book or TV recommendation, and solid design advice. She believed there should be more whipped cream than pie, that the furniture should be rearranged at least twice a year, and that coffee should be drunk to the last drop. She cried when we cried and laughed when we laughed. She fought until the end but left this world on her terms: surrounded by her loving family. Cathy is survived by her loving husband of fifteen years, Dale T. Witmer; her children Ann (Sam) Carter, Peter (Natasha Scheuerman) Bryan, and Jesse (Nicholas) Morris; treasured grandchildren Charles, Joseph, Caroline, Benjamin, Henry, Liria, and Finley; brother Robert Leroy Woodhead, his wife Wanda, and niece Meredith Woodhead; mother-in-law Beth Witmer; sister-in-law Eileen (Ben) Rapier and their daughters Natalie and Olivia. A memorial service will be held at Click Funeral Home in Farragut on Saturday, October 27 at 1:00, and friends will be received at Dale and Cathy's home from 3:00-5:00. Memorial donations in memory of Cathy may be made to the Vanderbilt Lung Transplant Patient Assistance Fund. For details, please email cathywitmerdonations@gmail.com.Published in Knoxville News Sentinel from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, 2018.3

Citations

  1. Marriage Index: Sevier County, Tennessee, 2005; Woodhead, Cathy J and Dale T Witmer, http://register.shelby.tn.us/marriageSearchResultsvital.php, viewed 29 Jun 2016.
  2. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1976; License 1383; Robert Gerald Bryan and Catherine Jo Woodhead.
  3. Obituary: Witmer, Catherine Jo; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 24 Oct 2018, page A14, viewed at www.knoxnews.com on 7 Aug 2019.
Family Explorer

Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan

Male, born 23 July 1925, died 20 December 2018
FatherEmmert Oral Bryan (born 1 November 1898, died 12 November 1978)
MotherRuby Priscilla Cox (born 18 July 1903, died 9 August 1925)

Partner: Beatrice Ruth (Ruth) Peters (born 24 January 1923, died 1 November 2020)

General SourcesRobert Elmer (Bob) Bryan.1,2
Birth
23 July 1925; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.2
ParentsEmmert Oral Bryan and Ruby Priscilla Cox.2,3
NamesKnown as Bob. Known as Bobby while growing up.4
NamesakeRobert McKinley Cox. Uncle Robert was his mother's younger brother. Uncle Robert was known as Robert rather than as Bob.4
NamesakeElmer Otto Bryan. Uncle Elmer was his grandfather's brother.4
Census
1930; Knox County, Tennessee. Household of his father Emmert Oral Bryan.
Ward 18, Enumeration District 47-45, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee, 7 Apr 1930.
page 266b, 953 Atlantic Ave., family number 109, dwelling number 115.
Robert E. 4 8/12 son, male, single, white, born in TN, father born in TN, mother born VA.
(His mother was born in Tennessee rather than in Virginia. The error occurred because the enumerator incorrectly attributed the birthplace of his stepmother to his mother.)5
Census
1940; Knox County, Tennessee. Household of his father Emmert Oral Bryan.
Dist. 13, Enumeration District 47-33, Knox County, Tennessee, 9 Apr 1940.
page 622a, Sheet 2a, dwelling number 27, Morgan Quarry Road.
Bobby 15 son, male, single, white, 7 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 Knox County.6
Marriage28 December 1946; Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan and Beatrice Ruth (Ruth) Peters; Knox County, Tennessee.2
Marriage Narrative28 December 1946; Knox County, Tennessee. The following is from information provided by Jerry Bryan.
They were married in Corinth Methodist Church on Tazewell Pike. This was before the Methodist Church became the United Methodist Church. The church is still there, but it is no longer a Methodist church. Their wedding was the first wedding after the church was picked up and turned 90 degrees. A new basement was built, and the church building was set upon the new basement as a foundation. The minister was Rev. Walter Martin. It was a rainy and muddy day and there was no place at the church to change clothes. Therefore, the wedding party changed at home. Ruth's father carried her from the house to the car and from the car to the church to keep her wedding dress out of the mud.
Marriage Record
Date - 12-23-1946. Marriage Application #131.;
Groom: Name - Robert Elmer Bryan, R-12, Knoxville, Knox County, Tenn; born - 7-23-1925, age 21, white, born in Tennessee, single, 0 previous marriages; father - Emmert Oral Bryan, born in Tennessee; mother - Ruby Cox, born in Tennessee; bride: Name - Beatrice Ruth Peters, R-1, Corryton, Knox County, Tenn; born - 1-24-1923, age 23, white, born in Knox Co Tenn., single, 0 previous marriages; father - Earnest L Peters Sr, born in Tennessee; mother - Lola Ethel Williams (sic), born in Tennessee. We, the Groom and Bride named in this application, hereby certify that the information given herein is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief. (signed) Robert E. Bryan, Beatrice Ruth Peters. Date of Marriage - December 28 1946, by C. Walter Martin M.G. Marriage License, State of Tennessee, County of Knox. To any Minister of the Gospel, Priest or Jewish Rabbi, having the care of Souls, or Judge, or Justice of the Peace for said County - Greeting: I, J. W. (Jack) Dance, Clerk of the County Court of Knox County aforesaid, by the power in me vested by law, do license you or either of you, to celebrate the: Rites of Matrimony between Robert Elmer Bryan of Knoxville, Tenn and Beatrice Ruth Peters of Corryton, Tenn. Given at office in Knoxville, the 23 day of Dec. 1946. (signed) J. W. Dance Clerk. By E. Tarwater, Deputy Clerk. No. 131, Marriage License, Robt Elmer Bryan TO Beatrice Ruth Peters, 1946, J. W. (Jack) Dance, Clerk. I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above parties on the 28 day of December, 1946. Rev. C. Walter Martin, Fountain City, Tenn. Rt. 12.2
City Directory
1947; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan, Robt E (Ruth P) student r W Adair Drive, Ftn City.
They lived in the caretaker's house in Lynnhurst Cemetery. They lived there without charge in exchange for opening and closing the cemetery gates every morning and night.7
City Directory
Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan, Robt E (Ruth P) bkkpr Chandler-Warters Co r W Adair Drive, Ftn City.8
Census
1950; Knox County, Tennessee. Head of houshold.
Knox County, Tennessee, Enumeration District 47-43, W. Adair Drive, 13 Apr 1950
Sheets 022 and 023, dwelling number 234
Bryan Robert E. 24, male, married, white, bookkeeper printing co, TN
R. Beatrice 27, female, married, white, TN
G. Robert 1, male, single, white, TN.
(The census enumerator reversed Jerry's first and middle name. He should have been listed as Robert G.)9,10
City Directory
1950; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan Robt E (Ruth P) bkkpr Chandler-Warters Co r W Adair Drive, Ftn City.11
City Directory
1955; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan, Robert E (Ruth P) acct Plasti-Line r read 2322 1/2 Cedar Lane, Ftn. City.12
Wedding Anniversary
28 December 2006.
Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 14 Jan 2007.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bryan (Ruth Peters) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Dec. 28. The couple were wed Dec. 28, 1946. He is a retired accountant from Odom Construction Systems. She is retired bookkeeper. The couple have three children, Jerry Bryan and Priscilla Bryan, both of Knoxville, and Darrell Bryan, Greenville. They have six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.13
Death20 December 2018; Beverly Park Place Nursing Home, Knox County, Tennessee.3
Obituary
Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 26 Dec 2018, page A8.
Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan, 93, passed away December 20th at the Beverly Park Place Nursing Home on Tazewell Pike. He was born July 23rd, 1925 in Morristown, the son of Emmert Oral Bryan of Sevier County and Ruby Priscilla Cox Bryan of Jefferson County. Ruby died 16 days after his birth and he was then raised for about two and a half years by his aunt and uncle, Ethel Bryan Cox and Elmer Cox. After Emmert married Kate Nottingham, he rejoined his father’s family with Kate as his stepmother. Bob attended Knoxville Central High School under the tutelage of such individuals as principal Hassie K. Gresham, math teacher Earl Keller, and Latin teacher Miss Pace Moore (later Mrs. Pace Moore Johnston). He served 34 months in World War II immediately after high school. He served as a medical corpsman, first in the U.S. Navy and then in the U.S. Marines. He served in the 4th Marine Division in the Pacific. The 4th Marine Division was heavily involved in the Iwo Jima campaign and he lost many of his buddies there. His service buddies always called him Pinkie because of his red hair. The nickname never leaked over into the civilian world, but for decades after the war he received Christmas cards each year from friends all over the country addressed to Pinkie Bryan. Bob returned home from the war in May 1946. Within less than a week, he met Ruth Peters at church. They hit it off immediately and they were married on December 28th, 1946. At the time of his death, they were eight days short of their 72nd wedding anniversary. He attended the University of Tennessee and Knoxville Business College and had a successful career as an accountant. For many years, he was the chief accountant at Plasti-Line Corporation and he retired as the accountant at Odum Construction Systems. For many years after his retirement and until his late 80’s, he continued working part time as an accountant for a number of small businesses. Bob’s whole life revolved around church and family. He was a lifelong Methodist, attending Corinth United Methodist Church for many decades and Fountain City United Methodist Church for many decades thereafter. He assumed many leadership positions in the church and continued as an usher at Fountain City United Methodist Church as long as his health permitted. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather who was very active in his children’s lives. He attended every sporting event, band concert, or any other kind of activity in which his children participated. He managed Little League baseball and girls’ softball for many years at the ball fields of the Fountain City Recreation Commission. Preceded in death by his parents, brother Jack Bryan, sisters Lena Bryan Truan, and Bonnie Bryan Johnson, grandson Stanley Bryan. Survived by his wife Ruth, sons Jerry Bryan and Darrell (Naomi) Bryan, daughter Priscilla Bryan, grandchildren Ann (Sam) Carter, Peter (Natasha Scheuerman) Bryan, Jesse (Nick) Morris, Micky Bryan, Matthew (Alena) Bryan, Mark (Heather) Bryan, 13 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Internment and brief graveside service at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 28th at the East Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery on John Sevier Highway. Memorial Service at Stevens Mortuary at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 28th. Receiving of friends after the Memorial Service. The family wishes to thank the staff of Renaissance Terrace Assisted Living and Beverly Park Place Nursing Home for their loving care of Bob during his last years and days. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Bob to Fountain City United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Stevens Mortuary, Oglewood Avenue at North Broadway.3
Burial28 December 2018; East Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery (John Sevier Highway), Knox County, Tennessee.3
Burial Inscription
Robert Elmer Bryan, PHM3C, US Navy, World War II, Jul 23 1925 - Dec 20 2018, Always Loved, Never Forgotten, same marker as Beatrice Ruth Peters Bryan.14
Narrative
The following is from The Nichols Book by Wyatt Nichols.
Robert, third child of Emmert and Ruby Cox Bryan, is a fine young man. He served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II with a fine record. He is now employed as an accountant by a firm located in Knoxville, Tenn. He married Ruth Peters from Oakridge, Tenn. They have three children, namely, Jerry, Darrel and Priscilla.1

Citations

  1. Wyatt M. Nichols Sr.; The Nichols Book: Some Early Nichols Families in America, Their Origins and Histories; Cleveland, Ohio; Block Printing Company, 1962; page 74.
  2. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1946; License 131; Robert Elmer Bryan and Beatrice Ruth Peters.
  3. Obituary: Bryan, Robert Elmer; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 26 Dec 2018, page A8, viewed at https://knoxvillenews-tn.newsmemory.com/ on 17 Jan 2019.
  4. Bryan, Jerry: research notes, 7 Jan 2017 (Robert Elmer Bryan.)
  5. U.S. Federal Census: 1930, Knox County, Tennessee, Ward 18, Enumeration District 47-45, page 266b, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 20 Sep 2015.
  6. U.S. Federal Census: 1940, Knox County, Tennessee, Dist. 13, Enumeration Dist. 47-33, page 622a, ancestry.com (1940 U.S. Census) viewed on 9 Dec 2014.
  7. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1947, page 699.
  8. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1948/49, page 645.
  9. U.S. Federal Census: 1950, Knox County, Tennessee, Enumeration District 47-43, sheet 022, ancestry.com (1950 U.S. Census) viewed on 12 Sep 2023.
  10. U.S. Federal Census: 1950, Knox County, Tennessee, Enumeration District 47-43, sheet 023, ancestry.com (1950 U.S. Census) viewed on 12 Sep 2023.
  11. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1950, page 676.
  12. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1955, page 588.
  13. Anniversary announcement Bryan, Robert and Ruth Peters; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 14 Jan 2007.
  14. Grave marker: Robert Elmer Bryanx; East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E Govenor John Sevier Highway, Knox County, Tennessee; photographed 15 Sep 2019 by Jerry Bryan.
Family Explorer

Beatrice Ruth (Ruth) Peters

Female, born 24 January 1923, died 1 November 2020
FatherErnest Lester (Lester) Peters, Sr. (born 28 February 1895, died 3 November 1971)
MotherLola Ethel Williamson (born 29 May 1900, died 7 January 1966)

Partner: Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan (born 23 July 1925, died 20 December 2018)

General SourcesBeatrice Ruth (Ruth) Peters.1
Birth
24 January 1923; family home on Morris Avenue, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.1,2
ParentsErnest Lester (Lester) Peters, Sr., and Lola Ethel Williamson.1,3
NamesKnown as Ruth.2
Census
1930; Knox County, Tennessee. Household of her father Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters Sr.
Ward 23, Dist. 8, Enumeration District 47-56, Knoxville City, 10 Apr 1930.
page 12a, 1155 Morris Ave., dwelling number 220, family number 223.
Beatrice R. 7 daughter, female, single, white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.4
Census
1940; Anderson County, Tennessee. Household of her father Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters Sr.
Dist. 9, Enumeration District 1-14, 21 May 1940.
page 244a, Sheet 13a, Johnson & Mt. Vernon Road, dwelling number 191.
B. Ruth 17 daughter, female, single, white, 2 years high school, born in TN, lived 1935 same house.5
City Directory
1946; Knox County, Tennessee.
Peters Beatrice R Miss bill clk So Athletic Co r Corryton Tenn RD 1.6
Marriage28 December 1946; Beatrice Ruth (Ruth) Peters and Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan; Knox County, Tennessee.1
Marriage Narrative28 December 1946; Knox County, Tennessee. The following is from information provided by Jerry Bryan.
They were married in Corinth Methodist Church on Tazewell Pike. This was before the Methodist Church became the United Methodist Church. The church is still there, but it is no longer a Methodist church. Their wedding was the first wedding after the church was picked up and turned 90 degrees. A new basement was built, and the church building was set upon the new basement as a foundation. The minister was Rev. Walter Martin. It was a rainy and muddy day and there was no place at the church to change clothes. Therefore, the wedding party changed at home. Ruth's father carried her from the house to the car and from the car to the church to keep her wedding dress out of the mud.
Marriage Record
Date - 12-23-1946. Marriage Application #131.;
Groom: Name - Robert Elmer Bryan, R-12, Knoxville, Knox County, Tenn; born - 7-23-1925, age 21, white, born in Tennessee, single, 0 previous marriages; father - Emmert Oral Bryan, born in Tennessee; mother - Ruby Cox, born in Tennessee; bride: Name - Beatrice Ruth Peters, R-1, Corryton, Knox County, Tenn; born - 1-24-1923, age 23, white, born in Knox Co Tenn., single, 0 previous marriages; father - Earnest L Peters Sr, born in Tennessee; mother - Lola Ethel Williams (sic), born in Tennessee. We, the Groom and Bride named in this application, hereby certify that the information given herein is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief. (signed) Robert E. Bryan, Beatrice Ruth Peters. Date of Marriage - December 28 1946, by C. Walter Martin M.G. Marriage License, State of Tennessee, County of Knox. To any Minister of the Gospel, Priest or Jewish Rabbi, having the care of Souls, or Judge, or Justice of the Peace for said County - Greeting: I, J. W. (Jack) Dance, Clerk of the County Court of Knox County aforesaid, by the power in me vested by law, do license you or either of you, to celebrate the: Rites of Matrimony between Robert Elmer Bryan of Knoxville, Tenn and Beatrice Ruth Peters of Corryton, Tenn. Given at office in Knoxville, the 23 day of Dec. 1946. (signed) J. W. Dance Clerk. By E. Tarwater, Deputy Clerk. No. 131, Marriage License, Robt Elmer Bryan TO Beatrice Ruth Peters, 1946, J. W. (Jack) Dance, Clerk. I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above parties on the 28 day of December, 1946. Rev. C. Walter Martin, Fountain City, Tenn. Rt. 12.1
City Directory
1947; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan Ruth P Mrs bill clk So Athletic Co r W Adair Drive, Ftn. City.
They lived in the caretaker's house in Lynnhurst Cemetery. They lived there without charge in exchange for opening and closing the cemetery gates every morning and night.7
City Directory
1948/49; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan Ruth P Mrs bill clk So Athletic Co r W Adair Drive, Ftn. City.8
Census
1950; Knox County, Tennessee. Household of her husband Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan.
Knox County, Tennessee, Enumeration District 47-43, W. Adair Drive, 13 Apr 1950
Sheets 022 and 023, dwelling number 234
R. Beatrice 27, female, married, white, TN.9,10
City Directory
1950; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan Robt E (Ruth P) bkkpr Chandler-Warters Co r W Adair Drive, Ftn City.11
City Directory
1955; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan, Ruth P Mrs bkkpr Knox Sporting Gds Co r rear 2322 1/2 Cedar Lane, Ftn City.12
Wedding Anniversary
28 December 2006.
Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 14 Jan 2007.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bryan (Ruth Peters) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Dec. 28. The couple were wed Dec. 28, 1946. He is a retired accountant from Odom Construction Systems. She is retired bookkeeper. The couple have three children, Jerry Bryan and Priscilla Bryan, both of Knoxville, and Darrell Bryan, Greenville. They have six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.13
Death1 November 2020; Beverly Park Place Nursing Home, Knox County, Tennessee.3
ObituaryKnoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 11/4/2020, page A12.
Beatrice Ruth Peters (Ruth) Bryan, 97, passed away November 1st, 2020 at Beverly Park Place on Tazewell Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee. She was born January 24th, 1923 in Knoxville, the daughter of Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters, Sr. of Anderson County and Lola Ethel Williamson of Lenoir City. When the Great Depression hit, her family returned to her father's ancestral roots in Anderson County, and she spoke often of growing up in a remote rural area without electricity, running water, or telephones. Ruth attended Scarbrough Elementary School and Robertsville High School. At Robertsville High School, she was the star player on the girl's basketball team and the valedictorian of the graduating class of 1941. The family was removed from Anderson County along with thousands of other people in 1942 as a part of the World War II project to build the secret city of Oak Ridge. They moved from Anderson County to a farm in Knox County on Tazewell Pike. Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan returned home from the war in May 1946. Ruth and Bob met less than a week later at Corinth Methodist Church. They hit it off immediately and they were married at the church on December 28th, 1946. At the time of Bob's death in 2018, they were eight days short of their 72nd wedding anniversary. Ruth attended Knoxville Business College after high school and worked as a bookkeeper before she was married, and occasionally worked part-time thereafter. In her later years, she was the Financial Secretary at Fountain City United Methodist Church for many years. Her whole life revolved around church and family. She was a lifelong Methodist, attending Corinth Methodist Church for many decades and Fountain City UMC for many decades thereafter. She was a member of the choir at Corinth Methodist and sang alto in the Corinthians quartet at the church. She was very active with the WSCS and with Vacation Bible School. She was youth counselor for many years at Fountain City UMC and she was the meal coordinator for the UMW for families when there were deaths in the family. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother who was very active in her children’s lives. She was Nana to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She attended every sporting event, band concert, or any other kind of activity in which her children or grandchildren participated. She served as room mother at school, as den mother for Cub Scouts, as team mother for Little League baseball and girls’ softball teams, and as chaperone for Central High School band trips. In addition, she was an avid fan of University of Tennessee sports, especially Lady Vols basketball. She and Bob were season ticket holders for many years for Lady Vols games and for football games. Preceded in death by her parents Lester and Lola, husband Bob, sister Lucille Peters Wright, brothers Bud and Howard Peters, grandson Stanley Bryan. Survived by sisters Irene Peters Tarver and Lorieta Peters Tadlock, sons Jerry Bryan and Darrell (Naomi) Bryan, daughter Priscilla Bryan, grandchildren Ann (Sam) Carter, Peter (Natasha Scheuerman) Bryan, Jesse (Nick) Morris, Michael Bryan AKA Micky, Matthew (Alena) Bryan, Mark (Heather) Bryan, 14 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Receiving of friends, 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, November 4th, service to follow at 6:00 pm, Stevens Mortuary, Oglewood Avenue at North Broadway, Knoxville. In light of the COVID pandemic, it is requested that masks be worn and that social distancing protocols be followed. The family wishes to thank the staff of Renaissance Terrace Assisted Living and Beverly Park Place for their loving care of Ruth during her last years and days. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Ruth Bryan to Fountain City United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Stevens Mortuary.3

Citations

  1. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1946; License 131; Robert Elmer Bryan and Beatrice Ruth Peters.
  2. Bryan, Jerry: research notes, 5 Jan 2017 (Ruth Peters Bryan.)
  3. Obituary: Bryan, Beatrice Ruth Peters; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 4 Nov 2020, page A12.
  4. U.S. Federal Census: 1930, Knox County, Tennessee, Dist. 9, Enumeration Dist. 47-56, page 183a, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 13 Nov 2014.
  5. U.S. Federal Census: 1940, Anderson County, Tennessee, Dist. 9, Enumeration Dist. 1-14, page 244a, ancestry.com (1940 U.S. Census) viewed on 10 Dec 2014.
  6. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1946, page 2009.
  7. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1947, page 699.
  8. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1948/49, page 646.
  9. U.S. Federal Census: 1950, Knox County, Tennessee, Enumeration District 47-43, sheet 022, ancestry.com (1950 U.S. Census) viewed on 12 Sep 2023.
  10. U.S. Federal Census: 1950, Knox County, Tennessee, Enumeration District 47-43, sheet 023, ancestry.com (1950 U.S. Census) viewed on 12 Sep 2023.
  11. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1950, page 676.
  12. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1955, page 588.
  13. Anniversary announcement Bryan, Robert and Ruth Peters; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 14 Jan 2007.
Family Explorer

Emmert Oral Bryan

Male, born 1 November 1898, died 12 November 1978
FatherWilliam Harley (Harley) Bryan (born 12 February 1876, died 15 December 1915)
MotherNancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison (born 14 April 1876, died 11 July 1938)

Partner: Ruby Priscilla Cox (born 18 July 1903, died 9 August 1925)

SonWilliam Jackson (Jack, Bill) Bryan+ (born 29 January 1922, died 21 April 2005)
DaughterLena Maude Bryan (born 27 October 1923, died 13 October 1994)
SonRobert Elmer (Bob) Bryan (born 23 July 1925, died 20 December 2018)

Partner: Ella Kate (Kate) Nottingham (born 3 January 1900, died 14 December 1976)

DaughterBonnie Jo Bryan (born 29 December 1935, died 25 October 2005)
General SourcesEmmert Oral Bryan.1,2,3
Birth1 November 1898; Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee. Several records report that he was born in Dandridge. It seems unlikely that he was born literally in the town of Dandridge. Rather, it seems likely that he was born on the family farm of his maternal grandparents Joseph Harrison and Susan A. Slaton. The farm was out in the country on a rural postal route that was served from the Dandridge post office. It was a surprise to discover that he was born in Jefferson County at all. The Bryan family farm where he was raised was in Sevier County and had been in the Bryan family for generations. However, he was the first born child in his family and his mother was from Jefferson County. It seems likely that she returned to her parents farm to give birth.4,5
ParentsWilliam Harley (Harley) Bryan and Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison.4
Birth Certificate
State of Tennessee, Dept. of Public Health, Div. of Vital Statistics, Delayed Certificate of Birth, D-448899
Name at birth - Emmert Oral Bryan
Date of birth - Nov. 1, 1898
Birth Place - Jefferson County
Color - white
Sex - male
Father - William Harley Bryan
Father birthplace - Tennessee
Mother - Nancy Virginia Harrison
Mother birthplace - Tennessee
Signed - Emmert O. Bryan, 3209 Buffat Mill Road, Knoxville, Tenn.
Subscribed and sworn to before me on April 26, 1955, Maude J. Pelleaux, Notary Public
My com. expires 10-13-57
Abstract of supporting evidence
1. Family Bible Record, custodian Registrant, Date - old
2. Photostat copy of U.S. Social Security Application, Social Security No. 413-05-0745, Date - 11-30-1936
3. Modern Woodmen of America, Rock Island, Illinois, Policy No. 3351734, Date March 1, 1933
Information concerning registratnt as stated in document of coresponding number above
1. Birth date - Nov. 1, 1898, birth place - not given, father - William H. Bryan, mother - Virginia Harrison
2. Birth date - Nov. 1, 1898, birth place - Jefferson Co., Tenn., father - Wm. Harley Bryan, mother - Nancy Virginia Harrison
3. Birth date - Nov. 1, 1898, birth place - Dandridge, Tenn., father - not given, mother - Not given
I hereby certify that I have examined the 3 documents abstracted above, find them valid, and that
the information contained therein is as noted above, and recommend that this delayed certificate of birth
be accepted for filing by the Division of Vital Statistics, Tennessee Department of Public Health.
signed M. R. Baird by Maude J. Pelleax, Nashville, Tenn, Director State Registar, May 9, 1955
----- Reverse side -----
5-12-55 3643
Emmert Oral Bryan
3209 Buffat Mill Rd
Knox
Approved - M. R. Baird, May 11, 1955, by A. S.4
Census1900; Sevier County, Tennessee. Household of his father William Harley (Harley) Bryan.
Dist. 8, Enumeration District 143, 6 Jun 1900.
page 119a, dwelling number 48, family number 49, enumerated by James B. Douglass.
Emert 1 son, male, single, white, born Nov 1898, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.6
Census1910; Sevier County, Tennessee.
Emmert O. 11 son, male, single, white, farm laborer, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, enumerated in the household of his father William Harley (Harley) Bryan.7
Military Draft Registration
12 September 1918; Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee.

1. Name: Emmert Oral Bryan
2. Address: RD #3, Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee
3. Age 19
4. Born: 1 Nov 1898
5. Race: white
10. US Citizen: native born
16. Occupation: laborer in canning factory
17. Employer's name: Smith Brothers Co
18. Place of Employment: RD #6, Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee
19. Nearest relative name: Nanny V. Bryan, mother
20. Nearest relative address: RD #3, Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee
Signature: Emmert Oral Bryan
21. Height: tall
24. Build: slender
25. Color of eyes: blue
26. Color of hair: brown
Date of Registration: 9/12/18.5
Census1920; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Emmert 21 son, male, single, white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, can R/W, enumerated household of his mother Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison.8
Marriage10 April 1921; Emmert Oral Bryan and Ruby Priscilla Cox; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. Know all Men, That we, Emmit (sic) Byant (sic) and H. A. Fox, of said County and State of Tennessee, are held and firmly bound unto the State of Tennessee in the sum of Twelve Hundred and Fifty Dollars, to which payment, well and truly to be made, we bind our heirs, executors, and administrators, and each and every one of us and them, both jointly and severally by these presents. The Condition of the above Obligation is Such: That whereas, Emit (sic) Bryant (sic), age 21, hath prayed and obtained a License to marry Ruby Cox; Now, if there shall not hereafter appear any lawful cause why the said Emit (sic) Brant (sic) and Ruby Cox should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony as husband and wife, then this obligation to be void and of no effect; otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Witness our hands and seals, the 9 day of April, 1921. Emmert Bryant and H. A. Fox. State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. Personally appeared before me, C. S. Rainwater, Clerk of the County Court of Said County, H. A. Fox, who made oath in due form that Emit (sic) Bryant (sic) and Ruby Cox are known to him, and that they are each over sixteen years of age. (signed) H. A. Fox, Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9 day of April, 1921, C. S. Rainwater, County Court Clerk. State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. To any regular Minister of the Gospel having the care of Souls, Jewish Rabbi or any Justice of the Peace of said County, judge or Chancellor - Greeting: These are to authorize, you or either of you to solemnize the Rites of Matrimony between Emit (sic) Bryant (sic) and Ruby Cox of your County, agreeably to the direction of the Act of Assembly in such case made and provided: Provided always, that the Rite of Matrimony be solemnized in this County; otherwise these shall be null and void, and shall not be accounted any license or authority to you, or either of you, for the purpose aforesaid, more than thought the same had never been prayed or granted, etc. Given at the Clerk's office of said County, this 9 day of April, 1921. C. S. Rainwater, County Court Clerk. I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the within parties on the 10th day of April, 1921. J. E. Swann, J.P.3,9,10
Birth of Child29 January 1922; William Jackson (Jack, Bill) Bryan; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.11
City Directory1922; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.
E. O. Bryan, 600 Hill Street, intersection with 6th St. North. (second entry) Bryan, Emmert O (Ruby), emp M'town Furn Co, h 600 n Hill.12
Birth of Child27 October 1923; Lena Maude Bryan; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
City Directory1924; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.
Emmert Bryan, Fourth North Street (west).13
Birth of Child23 July 1925; Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.14,15
City Directory1926; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan Emert emp O'wood Mfg Co r 210 N Morgan.16
City Directory1927; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan Emert O emp K Lbr & Mfg Co r 306 E Morelia av.

According to oral family history, they moved to Knoxville in 1925 after Ruby died. But the 1926 Knoxville city directory reports that Emmert was living household of his cousin Frank Bryan at the corner of Morgan and Depot. Emmert was living in Knoxville with Frank so he could work in Knoxville to earn money to support the family. It therefore seems likely that Emmert's mother Nannie, his sister Bill, and his children Jack and Lena were still living in Jefferson County for a short time while Emmert lived in Knoxville. Emmert's sister Edna was a student at the University of Tennessee in the 1926 city directory rather than living in Jefferson County. The city directory then reflects that all of them lived together in Knoxville on Morelia Avenue in 1927 and for several years thereafter.

It is common for data to appear in the city directory one year in arrears because of delays between when the data is collected and when it is published. So all these dates in the city directory are probably off by one year, and the oral family history seems to be very accurate. Emmert's mother sold their land in Jefferson County in 1926, and that is probably the year they really moved to Knoxville.17
Marriage27 November 1927; Emmert Oral Bryan and Ella Kate (Kate) Nottingham; Knox County, Tennessee.18,19,3,20,21,22
Marriage RecordState of Tennessee, Knox County. Book 17, page 384, license No. 1535.
Know all men by these presents. That we, are held and firmly bound unto the State of Tennessee in the sum of Twelve Hundred and Fifty Dollars, to be void on condition that there be no lawful cause to prevent a marriage from being solemnized in the county of Knox between Emmert O. Bryan age 29 and Ella Kate Nottingham age 28. Witness our hand and seals, the 26 day of Nov 1927. (signed) Emmert O. Bryan, C.M. Bryan. Date of marriage Nov 26, 1927. By whom married: Oscar Breeden. I solemnly swear that the above named parties are not under the age of eighteen years. (signed) C.M. Bryan, Emmert O. Bryan.
-----
Marriage License, State of Tennessee, County of Knox.
To any Minister of the Gospel, Priest, or Jewish Rabbi, having the Care of Souls, or Judge, or Justice of the Peace for said County - Greeting: I, Leslie M. Kennedy, Clerk of the County Court of Knox County aforesaid, by the Power vested in me by law, do license you or either of you, to celebrate the Rites of Matrimony between Emmert Oral Bryan of the city and Ella Kate Nottingham of the city. Given at office in Knoxville, the 26 day of Nov 1927 and of American Independence, 152. (signed) L.M. Kennedy, clerk by W.H. Hall deputy clerk.
-----
Marriage return, license No. 1536. Emmert O. Bryan to Ella Kate Nottingham. 1927. Leslie M. Kennedy, Clerk. I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above parties on the day of Nov 26 1927, Oscar Breeden, M.G. Filed Dec 5, 1927.20
City Directory1928; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan Emert O emp K Lbr & Mfg Co r 06 E Morelia av.23
City Directory1929; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan Emert O (Kate N) emp Knoxv Lbr & Mfg Co r 306 E Morelia av.24
City Directory1930; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan Emert O (Kate N) mach opr Sterling Wood Prod Co r 353 Atlantic av.19
Census
1930; Knox County, Tennessee. Head of household.
Ward 18, Enumeration District 47-45, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee, 7 Apr 1930.
page 266b, 953 Atlantic Ave., family number 109, dwelling number 115.
Bryan Emmert O. 31 head male m@20 w foreman auto body plant, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
Ella K. 30 wife, female m@28 w born VA, father born VA, mother born in TN
William J. 8 son, male, single, white, born in TN, father born in TN, mother born VA
Lena M. 6 daughter, female, single, white, born in TN, father born in TN, mother born VA
Robert E. 4 8/12 son, male, single, white, born in TN, father born in TN, mother born VA.
(The census enumerator made an error in identifying the birth place for the mother of the three children. Ella Kate (Kate) Nottingham was the stepmother of all three children and she was born in Virginia. Their biological mother Ruby Priscilla Cox was born in TN.)25
City Directory1931; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan Emert O (Kate N) Foremn Sterling Wood Prod Co r 353 Atlantic av.26
ResidenceEmmert Oral Bryan resided in Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee, in 1931 The family lived in Athens when Bob was in the first grade. They lived on K street.27
ResidenceEmmert Oral Bryan resided in Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee, in 1932 The family lived in Athens when Bob was in the second grade. They lived on K street.27
City Directory1934; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan Emmett L (Kate N) emp C B Atkin Co r 732 Chicamauga av (but according to Robert E. Bryan they had already moved from Chicamauga Avenue to Halls by 1934).28
City Directory1935; Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee.
Bryan E O emp C B Atkin Co. The 1935 city directory did not list their address. Their house was on the left side of northbound Maynardville Highway shortly before the intersection with Emory Road. The intersection is the "crossroads" of Halls Cross Roads. (reported by Robert E. Bryan).29
Birth of Child29 December 1935; Bonnie Jo Bryan; Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.
City Directory1936; Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee.
Bryan E O emp C B Atkin Co.30
City Directory1937; Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee.
Bryan E O mach opr C B Atkin Co.31
City Directory1938; Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee.
Bryan Emmert O (Kate N) emp C B Atkin Co r Maynardville pk, Ftn City, R D 13.32
City Directory1939; Halls Cross Roads, Knox County, Tennessee.
Bryan Emert O (Kate N) mchst, C B Atkin Co r Maynardsville pk R D 13.33
Census
1940; Knox County, Tennessee. Head of household. Head of household.
Dist. 13, Enumeration District 47-33, Knox County, Tennessee, 9 Apr 1940.
page 622a, Sheet 2a, dwelling number 27, Morgan Quarry Road.
Bryan Emmert O. 41 head male married white, machinist, furniture factory 8 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 Knox County, $1377 income, rents $15/month
Ella K. 40 wife, female married white, 6 years school, born VA, lived 1935 Knox County
Jack 18 son, male, single, white, 10 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 Knox County
Lena M. 16 daughter, female, single, white, 8 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 Knox County
Bobby 15 son, male, single, white, 7 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 Knox County
Bonny J. 4 daughter, female, single, white, born in TN, lived 1935 Knox County.18
City Directory
1941; Knox County, Tennessee.
Bryan Emert O (Ella N) mach dept C B Atkin Co r Maynardville pk R D 13.34
City Directory
1946; Knox County, Tennessee.
Bryan Emerson (sic) O (Ella K) printer Tenn. Press r Morgan Quarry rd RD 12.35
City Directory1947; Knox County, Tennessee.
Bryan Emmert O (Ella K) emp Vestal Lbr & Mfg Co r Morgan Quarry rd RD 12.36
City Directory1948/49; Knox County, Tennessee.
Bryan Emmert O asst supt Vestal Lbr & Mfg Co r Morgan Quarry Rd RD 12.37
City Directory1953; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan, Emmert O (Ella N) supt Vestal Lbr & Mfg Co r 3209 Buffat Mill rd N E.38
City Directory1955; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bryan, Emmert O (Kate N) foremn Vestal Lbr & Mfg Co r 3209 Buffat Mill rd N E.39
Death12 November 1978; Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. He died at the home of his daughter Lena Maude Bryan Truan. He was living with the Truans because of his failing health.2,3,21
Death Record
Knox County, Tennessee, 1978, death certificate 78 034839.
1. Deceased-name - Emmert Oral Bryan
2. Date of death - Nov. 12, 1978
3. Age last birthday - 80
4. Date of birth - Nov. 1, 1898
5. Race - White
6. Sex - Male
7a. County of death - Knox
7b. City, town or location - Knoxville
7c. Inside city limits - Yes
7d. Hospital or other institution-name - private residence: 3712 Thrall Dr.
8. State of birth - Tennessee
9. Citizen of what country - U.S.A.
10. Status - Widowed
11. Surviving spouse -
12b. Service in armed forces - No
13a. Usual occupation - Foreman
13b. Kind of business or industry - Furniture
14a. Residence-state - Tennessee
14b. County - Knox
14c. City, town, or location - Knoxville
14d. Street and number - 3712 Thrall Dr.
14e. Inside city limits (specify yes or no) - Yes
14f. Census tract no. - 051
15. Father-name - Wm. Harley
16. Mother-maiden name - Nancy Virginia Harrison
17. Informant mailing address - 3712 Thrall Dr., Lena B. Truan, Knoxville, Tenn.
18a. Burial, cremation, removal, other - Burial
18b. Burial Date - Nov. 14, 1978
18c. Cemetery name - Greenwood
18d. Location, city or town, state - Knoxville, Tennessee
19a. Funeral director (signature) - Walter E. Conner
19b. License no. - 438
19c. Embalmer (signature) - Walter E. Conner
19d. License no. - 2637
20. Funeral home, name and address - Mynatt's, 2829 Rennoc Rd., Knoxville, Tn.
21a. Registrar-signature - Mary Chambers
21b. Date received by registrar - Nov 28, 1978
23a. Medical Examiner - E. V. Davidson
24a. Certifier - E.V. Davidson, M.D.
24b. Address - 2212 E. Vine Ave., Knoxville, Tenn. 37915
The informant was his daughter, Lena Maude Bryan Truan.2
Obituary
Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 13 Nov 1978, page A2.
Bryan, Emmeret (sic) O. - age 80, of 3712 Thrall Dr., passed away Sunday morning at his home. Member of Fairmont Presbyterian Church and Modern Woodmen of America. He was retired from C.B. Atkin's Company. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kate Bryan. Survivors: daughters, Mrs. Lena B. Traun (sic), Mrs. Bonnie Johnson; sons, W.J. Bryan and Robert E. Bryan; sisters, Mrs. Ethel Cox, Mrs. Edna Williams, Mrs. Willie Kyle, all of Knoxville; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Service Tuesday, 11 a.m. at Mynatt's Chapel, Rev. T.C. Bailey and Rev. John Stouffer officiating. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Monday at Mynatt's.21
Burial14 November 1978; Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; Grave marker: Emmert O. Bryan, Nov. 1, 1898 - Nov. 12, 1978, same marker as Ella N. Bryan. GPS: 36.030835,-83.916012.40,2,21
NarrativeThe following is from The Nichols Book by Wyatt Nichols.
When World War I came along he and Ruby went to Virginia where he worked as a ship builder until the war was over. He later returned to Morristown, Tennessee where be worked as a cabinet maker. Ruby died in 1925 and is buried at Wesley's Chapel in Jefferson County. Ruby left three small children, namely, Jack, Lena Maud and Robert. Emmert, after trying to keep his little family together, in a few years alter Ruby's death married a lady by the name of Kate Nottingham, re-establishing his little home again. Emmert and Kate have one daughter of their own. Her name is Bonnie Joe. (Note from Jerry Bryan: the place where my grandfather worked as a shipbuilder was Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. I also worked there, except I was there in 1982-1985 instead of during World War I. At one point, I checked with the personnel office, and indeed they did have records of when he worked there.)41

Citations

  1. Elizabeth Cate Manly; Bryans, Hortons and Allied Families; self published, 1978; page 23.
  2. Death Certificate: Bryan, Emmert Oral; Certificate 78 034839; Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, 1978.
  3. Bryan, William Jackson; Bryan's from the 1790's; unpublished manuscript; page 7.
  4. Birth Certificate: Bryan, Emmert Oral; Jefferson County, Tennessee; 1898; certificate D-448899, ancestry.com, viewed 26 Jun 2019.
  5. Military Draft Registration: Bryan, Emmert Oral, WWI, Danridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 12 Sep 1918, www.ancestry.com (U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918), viewed 26 Sep 2015.
  6. U.S. Federal Census: 1900, Sevier County, Tennessee, Dist. 8, Enumeration Dist. 143, page 119a, ancestry.com (1900 U.S. Census) viewed on 17 Jan 2015.
  7. U.S. Federal Census: 1910, Sevier County, Tennessee, Dist. 8, Enumeration Dist. 142, page 123a, ancestry.com (1910 U.S. Census) viewed on 20 Jan 2015.
  8. U.S. Federal Census: 1920, Jefferson County, Tennessee, Dist. 1, Enumeration District 64, page 12a, ancestry.com (1920 U.S. Census) viewed on 1 Jun 2015.
  9. Marriage Record: Jefferson County, Tennessee, 1921; bound marriage application book page 50; Emmit Bryant and Ruby Cox, ancestry.com (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002), viewed 20 Dec 2014.
  10. Obituary: Bryan, Ruby P.; Gazette and Mail [Morristown, Tennessee], 10 Aug 1925, page 3.
  11. Obituary: Bryan, William J. (Bill); Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 23 Apr 2005, page B8.
  12. City Directory: Morristown, Tennessee, 1922, page 108.
  13. City Directory: Morristown, Tennessee, 1924, page unknown.
  14. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1946; License 131; Robert Elmer Bryan and Beatrice Ruth Peters.
  15. Obituary: Bryan, Robert Elmer; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 26 Dec 2018, page A8, viewed at https://knoxvillenews-tn.newsmemory.com/ on 17 Jan 2019.
  16. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1926, page 554.
  17. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1927, page 562.
  18. U.S. Federal Census: 1940, Knox County, Tennessee, Dist. 13, Enumeration Dist. 47-33, page 622a, ancestry.com (1940 U.S. Census) viewed on 9 Dec 2014.
  19. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1930, page 658, viewed at ancestry.com (U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989) on 31 Mar 2014.
  20. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1927; Book 17, page 384, license No. 1535; Emmert Oral Bryan and Ella Kate Nottingham.
  21. Obituary: Bryan, Emmert O.; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 13 Nov 1978, page A2.
  22. Obituary: Bryan, Mrs. Kate Nottingham; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 15 Dec 1976, page A-11.
  23. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1928, page 601.
  24. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1929, page 628, viewed at ancestry.com (U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989) on 21 Nov 2014.
  25. U.S. Federal Census: 1930, Knox County, Tennessee, Ward 18, Enumeration District 47-45, page 266b, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 20 Sep 2015.
  26. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1931, page 650.
  27. Bryan, Robert E.: personal interview, recorded by Jerry Bryan, 13 Nov 2015.
  28. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1934, page 645, viewed at ancestry.com (U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989) on 27 Nov 2015.
  29. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1935, page 682, viewed at www.ancestry.com on 8 Dec 2015.
  30. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1936, page 691, viewed at www.ancestry.com on 14 Dec 2015.
  31. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1937, page 634.
  32. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1938, page 658, viewed at ancestry.com (U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989) on 22 Oct 2015.
  33. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1939, page 671.
  34. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1941, page 732.
  35. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1946, page 787.
  36. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1947, page 699.
  37. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1948/49, page 645.
  38. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1953, page 676.
  39. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1955, page 588.
  40. Grave marker: Emmert O. Bryan; Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; photographed 15 Sep 2013 by Jerry Bryan.
  41. Wyatt M. Nichols Sr.; The Nichols Book: Some Early Nichols Families in America, Their Origins and Histories; Cleveland, Ohio; Block Printing Company, 1962; page 74.
Ruby ca. 1918
Ruby and John ca. 1918
Family Explorer

Ruby Priscilla Cox

Female, born 18 July 1903, died 9 August 1925
FatherGeorge Jackson Cox (born 21 September 1861, died 12 June 1938)
MotherClarissa Loretta (Loretta, Retta, Rett) Nichols (born 27 May 1871, died 26 February 1950)

Partner: Emmert Oral Bryan (born 1 November 1898, died 12 November 1978)

SonWilliam Jackson (Jack, Bill) Bryan+ (born 29 January 1922, died 21 April 2005)
DaughterLena Maude Bryan (born 27 October 1923, died 13 October 1994)
SonRobert Elmer (Bob) Bryan (born 23 July 1925, died 20 December 2018)
General SourcesRuby Priscilla Cox.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Birth
18 July 1903; Jefferson County, Tennessee.5,6,7,9,8
ParentsGeorge Jackson Cox and Clarissa Loretta (Loretta, Retta, Rett) Nichols,.7
1910 Census Missing1910. Her entire family was missing from the 1910 census, not just Ruby herself.10
Census1920; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Ruby 16 daughter, female, single, white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, can R/W, attended school, enumerated in the household of her father George Jackson Cox.11
Marriage10 April 1921; Ruby Priscilla Cox and Emmert Oral Bryan; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. Know all Men, That we, Emmit (sic) Byant (sic) and H. A. Fox, of said County and State of Tennessee, are held and firmly bound unto the State of Tennessee in the sum of Twelve Hundred and Fifty Dollars, to which payment, well and truly to be made, we bind our heirs, executors, and administrators, and each and every one of us and them, both jointly and severally by these presents. The Condition of the above Obligation is Such: That whereas, Emit (sic) Bryant (sic), age 21, hath prayed and obtained a License to marry Ruby Cox; Now, if there shall not hereafter appear any lawful cause why the said Emit (sic) Brant (sic) and Ruby Cox should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony as husband and wife, then this obligation to be void and of no effect; otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Witness our hands and seals, the 9 day of April, 1921. Emmert Bryant and H. A. Fox. State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. Personally appeared before me, C. S. Rainwater, Clerk of the County Court of Said County, H. A. Fox, who made oath in due form that Emit (sic) Bryant (sic) and Ruby Cox are known to him, and that they are each over sixteen years of age. (signed) H. A. Fox, Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9 day of April, 1921, C. S. Rainwater, County Court Clerk. State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. To any regular Minister of the Gospel having the care of Souls, Jewish Rabbi or any Justice of the Peace of said County, judge or Chancellor - Greeting: These are to authorize, you or either of you to solemnize the Rites of Matrimony between Emit (sic) Bryant (sic) and Ruby Cox of your County, agreeably to the direction of the Act of Assembly in such case made and provided: Provided always, that the Rite of Matrimony be solemnized in this County; otherwise these shall be null and void, and shall not be accounted any license or authority to you, or either of you, for the purpose aforesaid, more than thought the same had never been prayed or granted, etc. Given at the Clerk's office of said County, this 9 day of April, 1921. C. S. Rainwater, County Court Clerk. I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the within parties on the 10th day of April, 1921. J. E. Swann, J.P.6,12,8
City Directory1922; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.
Bryan, Emmert O (Ruby), emp M'town Furn Co, h 600 n Hill.13
Birth of Child29 January 1922; William Jackson (Jack, Bill) Bryan; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.14
Birth of Child27 October 1923; Lena Maude Bryan; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Birth of Child23 July 1925; Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.9,15
Death9 August 1925; Morristown General Hospital, Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee. She died 16 days after giving birth to Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan. However, her death was not due to complications from childbirth. Rather, she died of a serious mastoid infection. She had suffered from severe earaches and headaches for years, and of course this was before the discovery of penicillin. She was being prepped for surgery at the time of her death.5,8
Death Record
Hamblen County, Tennessee, 1925, death certificate 280.
1. Place of death - Morristown, Hamblen County, Tenn. (Morristown General Hospital).
2. Name - Ruby P. Bryan
3. Sex - Female
4. Color or race - White
5. Status - Married
6. Date of birth - July 18, 1903
7. Age - 22 years, 0 months, 21 days
8. Occupation - Domestic
9. Birthplace - Tenn.
10. Name of father - G.J. Cox
11. Birthplace of father - Tenn.
12. Maiden name of mother - Loretta Nichols
13. Birthplace of mother - Tenn.
14. Informant - E.O. Bryan, Morristown, Tenn.
15. Filed - 8/10, 1925, Belle Fort, Registrar
16. Date of death - Aug 9, 1925
19. Buried - Wesleys Chapel, Aug 10, 1925
20. Undertaker - H. Stetzer Und. Co., Morristown, Tenn.
The informant was her husband, Emmert Oral Bryan.5
ObituaryGazette and Mail [Morristown, Tennessee], 10 Aug 1925, page 3.
Mrs. Ruby P. Bryan, aged 22 years, died at the Morristown General Hospital Sunday morning at 1:30 a.m. She was taken to the Harry Stetzer Funeral Home, and prepared for burial, and then taken to her home on West Fifth North street. The funeral was held this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. from Wesley's Chapel in Jefferson County, conducted by Rev. Tarwater. Interment will be in the church yard. She is survived by her husband E. O. Bryan, and the following children: Jack, Robert, and Lena Maud Bryan; also by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. J. Cox of Dandridge; two brothers, Messrs John and Robert Cox of Dandridge; two sisters, Mrs. J. P. Slaton of Dandridge and Mrs. Dan Harrison of this city. The following acted as pall-bearers; S. K. McAfee, Dr. Jno. Zedler, Gilbert Morrison, J. D. Walker, Jno. G. Hays, O. H. Newman.8
Burial10 August 1925; Wesleys Chapel United Methodist Church, Jefferson County, Tennessee.16,5,8
Burial InscriptionGrave marker: Ruby Cox, wife of E.O. Bryan, Jul. 18, 1903, Aug. 9, 1925, Asleep in Jesus.She is buried between her parents George Jackson Cox and Clarissa Loretta (Rett) Nichols on one side, and her brother Robert McKinley Cox on the other side. Her husband Emmert Bryan is buried in Knoxville with his second wife Kate Nottingham.16
NarrativeThe following is from The Nichols Book by Wyatt Nichols.
Ruby, fourth child of George and Loretta Nichols Cox was about one year younger than myself. She was a fine pianist and as I remember her when visiting there, especially when her brother and sisters, John, Minnie and Ethel had married. In the evening she played the piano and the guitar and we would sing, especially hymns. Her father, my Uncle George, always was delighted in hearing her and I sing and play. She taught school for a few years, then married a young man from Jefferson County by the name of Emmert Bryan. When World War I came along he and Ruby went to Virginia where he worked as a ship builder until the war was over. He later returned to Morristown, Tennessee where he worked as a cabinet maker. Ruby died in 1925 and is buried at Wesley’s Chapel in Jefferson County. Ruby left three small children, namely, Jack, Lena Maud and Robert.
(According to her son William Jackson (Jack) Bryan, the school at which she taught was the Cedar Hill School in Jefferson County, Tennessee. According to her son Robert Elmer (Bob) Bryan they had three pianos in the house.)

Citations

  1. Birth Verification: Bryan, Lena Maude; Jefferson County, Tennessee; 1923.
  2. Birth Certificate: Bryan, William Jackson; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee; 1922.
  3. Wyatt M. Nichols Sr.; The Nichols Book: Some Early Nichols Families in America, Their Origins and Histories; Cleveland, Ohio; Block Printing Company, 1962; page 73.
  4. Wyatt M. Nichols Sr.; The Nichols Book: Some Early Nichols Families in America, Their Origins and Histories; Cleveland, Ohio; Block Printing Company, 1962; page 74.
  5. Death Certificate: Bryan, Ruby P.; Certificate 280; Hamblen County, Tennessee, 1925; ancestry.com (Tennessee, Death Records, 1908-1958); viewed 18 Dec 2014.
  6. Bryan, William Jackson; Bryan's from the 1790's; unpublished manuscript; page 7.
  7. Cox, Hazel; Slaton and Cox Family History; unpublished manuscript; page 2.
  8. Obituary: Bryan, Ruby P.; Gazette and Mail [Morristown, Tennessee], 10 Aug 1925, page 3.
  9. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1946; License 131; Robert Elmer Bryan and Beatrice Ruth Peters.
  10. Bryan, Robert Gerald: research log: search for census records in 1910 for George Jackson Cox family, 27 Nov 2015.
  11. U.S. Federal Census: 1920, Jefferson County, Tennessee, Dist. 1, Enumeration District 65, page 22a, sheet 5a, ancestry.com (1920 U.S. Census) viewed on 26 Nov 2015.
  12. Marriage Record: Jefferson County, Tennessee, 1921; bound marriage application book page 50; Emmit Bryant and Ruby Cox, ancestry.com (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002), viewed 20 Dec 2014.
  13. City Directory: Morristown, Tennessee, 1922, page 108.
  14. Obituary: Bryan, William J. (Bill); Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 23 Apr 2005, page B8.
  15. Obituary: Bryan, Robert Elmer; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 26 Dec 2018, page A8, viewed at https://knoxvillenews-tn.newsmemory.com/ on 17 Jan 2019.
  16. Grave marker: Ruby Cox; Wesleys Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Jefferson County, Tennessee; photographed 22 Apr 2006 by Jerry Bryan.
Family Explorer

Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters, Sr.

Male, born 28 February 1895, died 3 November 1971
FatherAlva Edward Peters (born 14 October 1870, died 21 April 1942)
MotherSallie Jane Cole (born 29 June 1870, died 22 July 1942)

Partner: Amy Etolye Buckner (born 21 October 1896, died 9 February 1920)

DaughterEva Lucille (Lucille) Peters+ (born 26 September 1917, died 19 June 2004)

Partner: Lola Ethel Williamson (born 29 May 1900, died 7 January 1966)

DaughterBeatrice Ruth (Ruth) Peters (born 24 January 1923, died 1 November 2020)
SonErnest Lester (Bud) Peters, Jr.+ (born 11 June 1927, died 6 January 1983)
SonHoward Raymond Peters (born 9 July 1930, died 28 November 1974)

Partner: Rose Dell Hampton (born 18 October 1903, died 12 November 1975)

General SourcesErnest Lester (Lester) Peters, Sr..1,2
Photographs
Birth
28 February 1895; Anderson County, Tennessee.
It is not known exactly where in Anderson County it was that he was born. His family purchased the farm where he grew up about five months after he was born. Therefore, he was not born on the farm where he grew up unless the family was already living on the land as renters prior to the time they purchased the property.1,3,4
ParentsAlva Edward Peters and Sallie Jane Cole.1
Names
Usually known as Lester. Never known as Ernest. Sometimes known as Pete. Sometimes called Uncle Pete even by non-family members.5
Census
1900; Anderson County, Tennessee. Household of his father Alva Edward (Alvy) Peters.
Dist. 9, 14 Jun 1900.
Earnest L. 5 son, male, single, white, Feb 1895, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.6
Census
1910; Anderson County, Tennessee. Household of his father Alva Edward (Alvy) Peters.
Dist. 9, Enumeration District 10, 27 April 1910.
page 126a, Bear Valley Road, dwelling number 63, family number 65.
Lester 15 son, male, single, white, farm labor, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, attended school.7
Marriage24 December 1916; Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters, Sr., and Amy Etolye Buckner; Gillespie Ave. Baptist Church, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.8
Marriage Record
State of Tennessee, Knox County, book 14, page 9, license #1571.;
Know all men by these presents that we are held and firmly bound unto the State of Tennessee in the sum of Twelve Hundred and Fifty Dollars, to be void on condition that there by no lawful cause to prevent a marriage from being solemnized in the County of Knox between Earnest L. Peters age 21 and Amy E. Buckner age 20. Witness our hands and seals, the 23 day of Dec 1916. (signed) Earnest L. Peters, H. H. Peters. Marriage License, State of Tennessee, County of Knox, To any regular Minister of the Gospel, Priest or Jewish Rabbi having the care of Souls, or Judge, or Justice of the Peace for said County --- Greeting. I, Jesse L. Henson, Clerk of the County Court of Knox County aforesaid, by the power vested in me by law, do license you or either of you, to celebrate the Rites of Matrimony between Earnest L. Peters of Lenoir City Tenn. and Amy E. Buckner of City. Given at office in Knoxville, the 23 day of Dec 1916 and of American Independence, 141. (signed) Jesse L. Henson, clerk. by W. H. Lennon, Deputy Clerk. Marriage License #1571 Earnest L. Peters to Amy E. Buckner, 1916, Jesse L. Henson, Clerk. I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above parties on the 24th day December 1916. W.H. Rutherford, Pastor, Gillespie Ave. Baptist Church.8
Marriage Announcement
26 December 1916; Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters, Sr., and Amy Etolye Buckner. Knoxville News-Sentinel. [Knoxville, Tennessee], 26 Dec 1916, page 6.9
Military Draft Registration
15 June 1917; Lenoir City, Loudon County, Tennessee.

1. Name - Earnest Lester Peters, age 22
2. Address - Lenoir, Tenn. (Lenoir City)
3. Born - Feb 28, 1895
4. Citizenship - natural born
5. Born - Anderson Co., Tenn., USA
7. Occupation - Molder
8. Employer - Lenoir Ry Car Works. Where employed - Lenoir City
9. Dependents - wife
10. Status - married. Race - caucasian
11. Previous military service - none
Signature - Earnest Lester Peters
1. Height - tall. Build - slender
2. Eyes - black. Hair - black
3. Lost arm, leg, hand, foot, or both eyes, or is otherwise disabled? No
Precinct 9, Loudon County, Tenn, 6/15/17.3
Birth of Child
26 September 1917; Eva Lucille (Lucille) Peters; Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.10
Missing from City Directory
1918; Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Knoxville City Directory was not published in 1918. His residence in the 1917 draft registration was listed as Lenoir City, and it is not known when he moved to Knoxville.11
City Directory
1919; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters Ernest L. mldr Knoxv Stove Wks r 1150 Hoitt Ave.
He and his family were living in the household of his father-in-law Robert D. Buckner.12
Census
1920; Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. Household of his father-in-law Robert D. Buckner, along with his wife Amy Etolye Buckner and daughter Eva Lucille (Lucille) Peters.
Dist. 2, Knoxville, 8 Jan 1920.
page 259b, Hoytt Ave 1150, dwelling number 13, family number 13.
Peters Earnest L. 24 son-in-law male married white, foreman stove factory, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
Anne E. 22 daughter female married white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
Lucille P. 2 3/12 grand-daughter, female, single, white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.13
City Directory
1920; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters Ernest L, mldr Knox Stove Wks.14
City Directory
1921; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters E. Lester foreman Knox Stove Works r. Ashland av.15
Marriage6 November 1921; Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters, Sr., and Lola Ethel Williamson; Lenoir City, Loudon County, Tennessee.16,17
Marriage Narrative6 November 1921; Lenoir City, Loudon County, Tennessee. They were married at the home of Lola's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Williamson on Broadway in Lenoir City. She was born and was married in the same house.16
Marriage Record
State of Tennessee, Loudon County, book 3, page 337, application date Nov. 5, 1921.;
E. L. Peters to Lola E. Williamson. This day issued to E. L. Peters to Marry Lola E. Williamson, E. E. Watkins, Clerk, no return. (They were married on 6 Nov 1921.)17
Marriage NewsPaper Article
From a newspaper clipping in the scrapbook of Lola Ethel Peters. The newspaper is unknown but it was probably a Lenoir City newspaper rather than a Knoxville newspaper.
PETERS-WILLIAMSON
Miss Lola Ethel Williamson and Mr. Ernest Lester Peters of Knoxville were united in marriage at the home of the bride's parents Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Williamson, 716 Broadway, Sunday, Nov. 6th at 2 o'clock. The ceremony was performed by Rev. G. M. Moreland, pastor of the Southern Methodist church, and was a very quiet affair, witnessed only by relatives and intimate friends of the bride. The bride is the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Williamson of this city. She possesses a lovable disposition which has won for her a host of friends who will regret to learn that her marriage takes her elsewhere to reside. The groom is an accomplished young man and holds a responsible position with the Knox Stove Works at Knoxville. The happy couple motored to their home in Knoxville immediately after ceremony, where a furnished bungalow was awaiting them. They have the heartiest congratulations of their many friends.16
City Directory
1922; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters E Lester foreman Knox Stove Works r Ashland.18
City Directory
1923; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters, E Lester foremn Knox Stove Wks r Morris av.19
Birth of Child24 January 1923; Beatrice Ruth (Ruth) Peters; family home on Morris Avenue, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.20,4
City Directory
1924; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters E Lester (Lola) foremn Knox Stove Wks r 2013 Ailor av.21
City Directory
1925; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters E Lester (Lola W) foremn Knox Stove Wks r Morris av.22
City Directory
1926; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters Ernest L (Lola W) foremn Knox Stove Wks r Morris av.23
Birth of Child11 June 1927; Ernest Lester (Bud) Peters, Jr.; family home on Morris Avenue, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.
City Directory
1927; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters Ernest (Lola) foremn Knox Stove Wks r 20 Morris av.24
City Directory
1928; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters Ernest L (Lola W) foremn Knox Stove Wks r 20 Morris av.25
Census
1930; Knox County, Tennessee. Head of household.
Ward 23, Dist. 8, Enumeration District 47-56, Knoxville City, 10 Apr 1930.
page 12a, 1155 Morris Ave., dwelling number 220, family number 223.
Peters Earnest L. 35 head male first married at age 22 white foreman stove foundry rents $16/month, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
Lola E. 29 wife, female first married at age 16 white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
Eva L. 12 daughter, female, single, white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
Beatrice R. 7 daughter, female, single, white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
Earnest R. 2 8/12 son, male, single, white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.
-----
There is an error in the census because Lola was first married at age 21 rather than at age 16. The error arose on the part of the census enumerator because the census enumerator based Lola's age of first marriage on Lester's age of first marriage, and Lola was 16 at the time of Lester's marriage to his first wife Amy Etolye Buckner.26
Birth of Child9 July 1930; Howard Raymond Peters; Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.
City Directory
1932; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters E Lester (Lola W) foremn Knox Stove Wks r 1155 Morris av.27
City Directory
1933; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters E Lester (Lola W) foremn Knox Stove Wks r Edgemore, Tenn. (This is the first year that Lester's residence in the Knoxville City Director was listed as Edgemoor rather than Morris Avenue, and it reflects the timeframe when the family moved from Knoxville back out into Anderson County. But he continued to work at Knox Stove Works and drove back into Knoxville to work each day. The family really lived in Scarbrough rather than Edgemoor, but there was no Scarbrough post office at this time and they received their mail from the Edgemoor post office instead.)28
Census
1940; Anderson County, Tennessee. Head of household. Head of household.
Dist. 9, Enumeration District 1-14, 21 May 1940.
page 244a, Sheet 13a, Johnson & Mt. Vernon Road, dwelling number 191, owns property worth $1000.
Peters E. Lester 45 head male married white, foundry foreman iron foundry 3 years high school, born in TN, lived 1935 same house, $1620 salary
Lola E. 39 wife, female married white, 8 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 same house
B. Ruth 17 daughter, female, single, white, 2 years high school, born in TN, lived 1935 same house
E. Lester Jr. 12 son, male, single, white, 7 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 same house
Howard R. 9 son, male, single, white, 4 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 same house
V. Irene 5 daughter, female, single, white, born in TN, lived 1935 same house
H. Lorieta 2 daughter, female, single, white, born in TN.29
City Directory
1946; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters, E L foremn West Knoxv Fdy r Corryton, Tenn, R D 1.30
Census
1950; Knox County, Tennessee.
Head of household. Knox County, Tennessee, Enumeration District 47-63, Tazewell Pike, 27 Apr 1950.
Sheet 048, dwelling number 348
Peters E.L. 55, head male, married, white, farmer, born in TN.
Lola E. 49 wife, female, married, white, born in TN.
Irene 15 dau, female, single, white, born in TN.
Loreta 12 dau, female, single, white, born in TN.31
City Directory
1955; Knoxville, Tennessee.
Peters E L slsmn Morton McCary Motors Corryton Tenn. R D 1.
Peters Lester slsmn Morton-McCrary Motors r Tazewell pk, R D 12.32,33
Marriage26 March 1967; Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters, Sr., and Rose Dell Hampton; Corryton, Knox County, Tennessee.34
Marriage Narrative26 March 1967; Corryton, Knox County, Tennessee. They were married at the home of Lester's son Howard Peters and Rose's daughter Mary Murphy Peters, Howard's wife.
Marriage Record
State of Tennessee, Knox County, application #1036, page 346, March 23, 1967.;
Groom: Name - Ernest Lester Peters, Route #1, Corryton, Knox County, Tenn; born - Feb. 28, 1895, age 72, white, born in Anderson County, Tennessee, widowed, 2 previous marriages; father - Alva E. Peters, born in Anderson County, Tennessee; mother - Sallie Cole, born in Blount County (sic), Tennessee; bride: Name - Rose Dell Murphy, Route #1, Corryton, Knox County, Tenn; born - October 18, 1905, age 61, white, born in Hamblen County, Tennessee, widowed, 1 previous marriages; father - James W. Hampton, born in Hamblen County, Tennessee; mother - Frances Wagner, born in Hamblen County, Tennessee. We, the Groom and Bride named in this application, hereby certify that the information given herein is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief. (signed) Ernest Lester Peters, Rose Dell Murphy. Date of Marriage - March 26, 1967, by Charles W. Davis, M.G. Marriage License, State of Tennessee, County of Knox. To any Minister of the Gospel, Priest or Jewish Rabbi, having the care of Souls, or Judge, or Justice of the Peace for said County - Greeting: I, W. Dwight Kessel, Clerk of the County Court of Knox County aforesaid, by the power in me vested by law, do license you or either of you, to celebrate the: Rites of Matrimony between Ernest Lester Peters of Corryton, Tennessee and Rose Dell Murphy of Corryton, Tennessee. Given at office in Knoxville, the 23 day of March 1967. (signed) Dwight Kessel Clerk. By Cleo Tucker, Deputy Clerk. No. 1036, Marriage License, Ernest Lester Peters TO Rose Dell Murphy, 1967, W. Dwight Kessel, Clerk. I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above parties on the 26 day of March, 1967 at Murphy home 2:00 p.m., Rev. Charles W. Davis.34
Death3 November 1971; his home on Tazewell Pike, Corryton, Knox County, Tennessee. He died while working in his yard building a fence.35,1,36
Obituary
Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 4 Nov 1971, page 42.
Ernest Lester Peters, 76, a foreman at Knoxville Stove Works for 26 years until his retirement in 1943, died yesterday afternoon at his home on Tazewell Pike, Corryton. Mr. Peters was also employed by the Atomic Energy Commission in Oak Ridge from 1943 until 1953. He was a member of Corinth United Methodist Church, where he taught the Friendship Sunday School Class for 26 years and served as chairman for the building program. He was a Mason. He leaves a wife, Mrs. Rose Murphy Peters; daughters, Mrs. Lucille Wright of Centerburg, Ohio, Mrs. Ruth Bryan, Mrs. Virginia Irene Tarver and Mrs. Loretta Tadlock, all of Knoxville; sons, Ernest L. Peters Jr. and Howard R. Peters of Corryton; stepchildren; James P. Murphy of Sweetwater, Larry W. Murphy of Morristown, Guerry Carl Murphy of Johnson City and Mary Aileen Peters of Corryton; sisters, Mrs. Clyde Cole of Knoxville and Mrs. Eliza Letsinger of Powell; brothers, W. B., S. A. and R. E. Peters of Knoxville. Services will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Stevens chapel with Rev. Robert L. Irwin officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at the funeral home.36
Death Record
Knox County, Tennessee, 1971, death certificate 71-034041.
1. Name - Ernest Lester Peters, Sr.
2. Died - November 3, 1971
3. Race - White
4. Sex - Male
5a. Age - 76
6. Born - Feb. 28, 1895
7a. County of Death - Knox
7b. City, Town, or Location of Death - Corryton
7c. Inside City Limits - no
7d. Address of death - R.1, Tazewell Pike, Home
8. State of birth - Tennessee
9. Citizen of what country - USA
10. Status - married
11. Surviving spouse (if wife, give maiden name) - Rose Murphy
13a. Usual occupation (give kind of work done during most of working life, even if retired) - Retired Employee
13b. Kind of business or industry - Knox. Stove Works
14a. Residence state - Tennessee
14b. County - Knox
14c. City, town, or location - Corryton
14d. Inside city limits (specify yes or no) - no
14e. Street and number - R.1, Tazewell Pike
15. Father - name - Alvin Peters
16. Mother - maiden name - Sally Jane Cole
17. Informant - Mrs. Rose M. Peters, R.1, Tazewell Pike
21a. Physician certification -
22b. Medical examiner certification - Ira Pierce
23a. Certifier name (type or print) - Ira S. Pierce, M.D.
23b. Mailing address - Alcoa Hwy., Knoxville, Tenn. 37920
24a. Burial, cremation, removal (specify) - Burial
24b. Date (month, day, year) Nov. 5, 1971
24c. Cemetery or crematory name - Greenwood
24d Location, city or town, state - Knoxville, Tennessee
25. Funeral home - name and address - Stevens Mortuary, Knoxville, Tennessee 37917
26a. Registrar - signature - Mary Chambers
26b. Date received by local registrar - Nov 8, 1971
Notes and corrections to death certificate: 1) His wife's maiden name was Rose Hampton. She married first Carl Murphy. 2) His father's name was Alva rather than Alvin -- his father's full name was Alva Edward Peters.35
Burial5 November 1971; Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.37,35,36
Burial Inscription
E. Lester Peters, 1895-1971, same marker as Lola E. Peters.37
Burial GPS
38
Narrative
The following is from an interview with Lucille Wright.
Lester taught school at the one room Claxton School at the time when Hutsell was sick (about 1920). The school was on the right side of Clinton Highway (northbound), before you get to the crossroads at Claxton. He could play the piano. He played fiddle at dances. His violin was originally Hutsell's.5,2

Citations

  1. Cole, Ella Mae Peters Yadon; Peters Family History; unpublished manuscript; page 1.
  2. Wright, Lucille: personal interview, recorded by Jerry Bryan, 12 Oct 2003.
  3. Military Draft Registration: Peters, Earnest Lester, WWI, Lenoir City, Loudon County, Tennessee, 15 Jun 1917, www.ancestry.com (U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918), viewed 30 Sep 2015.
  4. Obituary: Bryan, Beatrice Ruth Peters; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 4 Nov 2020, page A12.
  5. Bryan, Jerry: research notes, 11 Dec 2016 (Lester Peters.)
  6. U.S. Federal Census: 1900, Anderson County, Tennessee, Dist. 9, Enumeration Dist. 10, page 129a, viewed at ancestry.com (1900 U.S. Census) viewed on 24 Nov 2014.
  7. U.S. Federal Census: 1910, Anderson County, Tennessee, Dist. 9, Enumeration Dist. 10, page 126a, ancestry.com (1910 U.S. Census) viewed on 24 Nov 2014.
  8. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1916; License 1571; Ernest L. Peters to Amy E. Buckner.
  9. Marriage Announcement: Lester Peters and Amy E. Buckner; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 26 Dec 1916, page 6, viewed at www.newspapers.com on 23 Sep 2020.
  10. Cole, Ella Mae Peters Yadon; Peters Family History; unpublished manuscript; page 3 - redacted.
  11. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1918, not published.
  12. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1919, page 408, viewed at ancestry.com(U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989) on 22 Sep 2015.
  13. U.S. Federal Census: 1920, Knox County, Tennessee, Dist. 2, Enumeration District 117, page 259b, ancestry.com (1920 U.S. Census) viewed on 7 Sep 2015.
  14. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1920, page 808.
  15. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1921, page 863, viewed at ancestry.com(U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989) on 30 Sep 2015.
  16. Marriage Announcement: Lola Ethel Williamson and Ernest Lester Peters; unknown newspaper, Scrapbook of Lola Williamson Peters.
  17. Marriage Record: Loudon County, Tennessee, 1921; Book 3, page 337; Ernest Lester Peters and Lola Ethel Williamson, ancestry.com (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002), viewed 20 Apr 2014.
  18. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1922, page 897, viewed at ancestry.com(U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989) on 2 Oct 2015.
  19. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1923, page 938.
  20. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1946; License 131; Robert Elmer Bryan and Beatrice Ruth Peters.
  21. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1924, page 1071, viewed at ancestry.com(U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989) on 4 Oct 2015.
  22. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1925, page 1170, viewed at ancestry.com(U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989) on 4 Oct 2015.
  23. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1926, page 1219, viewed at ancestry.com(U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989) on 4 Oct 2015.
  24. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1927, page 1260, viewed at ancestry.com(U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989) on 4 Oct 2015.
  25. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1928, page 1354, viewed at ancestry.com(U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989) on 5 Oct 2015.
  26. U.S. Federal Census: 1930, Knox County, Tennessee, Dist. 9, Enumeration Dist. 47-56, page 183a, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 13 Nov 2014.
  27. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1932, page 1423, viewed at ancestry.com(U.S. City Directories, 1822-1989) on 5 Oct 2015.
  28. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1933, page 1367, viewed at ancestry.com (U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989) on 23 Apr 2016.
  29. U.S. Federal Census: 1940, Anderson County, Tennessee, Dist. 9, Enumeration Dist. 1-14, page 244a, ancestry.com (1940 U.S. Census) viewed on 10 Dec 2014.
  30. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1946, page 2009.
  31. U.S. Federal Census: 1950, Knox County, Tennessee, Enumeration District 47-63, sheet 048, ancestry.com (1950 U.S. Census) viewed on 14 Aug 2023.
  32. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1955, page 1353.
  33. City Directory: Knoxville, Tennessee, 1955, page 1354.
  34. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1967; License 131, page 346; Ernest Lester Peters and Rose Dell Hampton.
  35. Death Certificate: Sr., Ernest Lester Peters; Certificate 71-034041; Corryton, Knox County, Tennessee, 1971.
  36. Obituary: Peters, Ernest Lester; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 4 Nov 1971, page 42.
  37. Grave marker: E. Lester Peters; Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; photographed 14 Sep 2013 by Jerry Bryan.
  38. GPS for Peters, Lester and Lola grave: 36.031402, -83.915407, recorded 14 Sep 2013 by Jerry Bryan.
Family Explorer

Lola Ethel Williamson

Female, born 29 May 1900, died 7 January 1966
FatherJohn William Williamson (born 2 April 1877, died 26 May 1927)
MotherMary Mahala Jane (Mahala) Bray (born 10 September 1871, died 31 May 1950)

Partner: Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters, Sr., (born 28 February 1895, died 3 November 1971)

DaughterBeatrice Ruth (Ruth) Peters (born 24 January 1923, died 1 November 2020)
SonErnest Lester (Bud) Peters, Jr.+ (born 11 June 1927, died 6 January 1983)
SonHoward Raymond Peters (born 9 July 1930, died 28 November 1974)
General SourcesLola Ethel Williamson.1,2
Birth
29 May 1900; at home, Lenoir City, Loudon County, Tennessee.
Her birthplace of Lenoir City is well known from oral family history. The house was on Broadway in downtown Broadway. She was married in the same house.2,3,4,5
ParentsJohn William Williamson and Mary Mahala Jane (Mahala) Bray.2
Census
1900; Loudon County, Tennessee. Household of her father John William Williamson.
Dist. 9, Enumeration District 103, 6 Jun 1900.
Lola 1/12 daughter, female, single, white, May 1900, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.6
Census
1910; Loudon County, Tennessee. Household of her father John William Williamson.
Dist. 2, Loudon County, Tennessee, 10 May 1910.
page 158a, Broadway, dwelling number 388, family number 407.
Lola E. 10 daughter, female, single, white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.7
Census
1920; Loudon County, Tennessee. Household of her father John William Williamson.
Lenoir City, Loudon County, Tennessee, 13 Jan 1920.
page 212a, 716 Broadway, dwelling number 584, family number 619.
Lola 19 daughter, female, single, white, pairer, hosiery mill, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.8
Marriage6 November 1921; Lola Ethel Williamson and Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters, Sr.; Lenoir City, Loudon County, Tennessee.9,10
Marriage Narrative6 November 1921; Lenoir City, Loudon County, Tennessee. They were married at the home of Lola's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Williamson on Broadway in Lenoir City. She was born and was married in the same house.9
Marriage Record
State of Tennessee, Loudon County, book 3, page 337, application date Nov. 5, 1921.;
E. L. Peters to Lola E. Williamson. This day issued to E. L. Peters to Marry Lola E. Williamson, E. E. Watkins, Clerk, no return. (They were married on 6 Nov 1921.)10
Marriage NewsPaper Article
From a newspaper clipping in the scrapbook of Lola Ethel Peters. The newspaper is unknown but it was probably a Lenoir City newspaper rather than a Knoxville newspaper.
PETERS-WILLIAMSON
Miss Lola Ethel Williamson and Mr. Ernest Lester Peters of Knoxville were united in marriage at the home of the bride's parents Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Williamson, 716 Broadway, Sunday, Nov. 6th at 2 o'clock. The ceremony was performed by Rev. G. M. Moreland, pastor of the Southern Methodist church, and was a very quiet affair, witnessed only by relatives and intimate friends of the bride. The bride is the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Williamson of this city. She possesses a lovable disposition which has won for her a host of friends who will regret to learn that her marriage takes her elsewhere to reside. The groom is an accomplished young man and holds a responsible position with the Knox Stove Works at Knoxville. The happy couple motored to their home in Knoxville immediately after ceremony, where a furnished bungalow was awaiting them. They have the heartiest congratulations of their many friends.9
Birth of Child24 January 1923; Beatrice Ruth (Ruth) Peters; family home on Morris Avenue, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.11,4
Birth of Child11 June 1927; Ernest Lester (Bud) Peters, Jr.; family home on Morris Avenue, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.
Census
1930; Knox County, Tennessee. Household of her husband Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters Sr.
Ward 23, Dist. 8, Enumeration District 47-56, Knoxville City, 10 Apr 1930.
page 12a, 1155 Morris Ave., dwelling number 220, family number 223.
Lola E. 29 wife, female first married at age 16 white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.
-----
There is an error in the census because Lola was first married at age 21 rather than at age 16. The error arose on the part of the census enumerator because the census enumerator based Lola's age of first marriage on Lester's age of first marriage, and Lola was 16 at the time of Lester's marriage to his first wife Amy Etolye Buckner.12
Birth of Child9 July 1930; Howard Raymond Peters; Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.
Census
1940; Anderson County, Tennessee. Household of her husband Ernest Lester (Lester) Peters Sr.
Dist. 9, Enumeration District 1-14, 21 May 1940.
page 244a, Sheet 13a, Johnson & Mt. Vernon Road, dwelling number 191.
Lola E. 39 wife, female married white, 8 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 same house.13
Census
1950; Knox County, Tennessee. Household of her husband E. L. Peters.
Knox County, Tennessee, Enumeration District 47-63, Tazewell Pike, 27 Apr 1950.
Sheet 048, dwelling number 348
Lola E. 49 wife, female, married, white, born in TN.14
Death7 January 1966; St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.15,1,16
Death Record
Knox County, Tennessee, 1966, death certificate 66-901240.
1. Name - Lola Ethel Peters
2. Died - 1-7-66
3. Color or race - W
4. Sex - F
5. Status - Married
6. Born - 5-29-1900
7. Age - 65
8. Place of death - Knox County, Dist. 7, Knoxville, St. Mary's Hospital
9. Residence - Tennessee, Knox County, Dist. 8, Tazewell Pike, Corryton
10 .Occupation - cafeteria
10b. Business or industry - Knox County Schools
13. Birthplace - Tennessee
14. Citizen of what country? U.S.A.
15. Husband or wife - Ernest Lester Peters
16. Father - John W. Williamson
17. Mother - Mahala Bray
18. Informant - Husband, address - same
22. Signature - C.E. Irwin M.D., Address: Medical Arts Bldg. Knoxville, Tenn., 37902, Date: 19 Jan 1966
22A. Buried 1-9-66, Greenwood Cem., Knoxville, Tenn.
24. Funeral Director address - Stevens Mortuary Knoxville
25. Registration Dist. no. - 24701
26. Date signed by local Reg. - Jan. 20, 1966
27. Registrar's Signature - Mary Chambers.1
Obituary
Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 8 Jan 1966, page 8.
Mrs. Lola Ethel Williamson Peters - age 65, died 7 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Hospital. Residence Tazewell Pike, Corryton. She was a member of Corinth Methodist Church Friendship Sunday School Class and WSCS. Survivors: husband, Ernest L. Peters, Sr., Corryton; daughters, Mrs. Ruth Bryan, Mrs. Irene Tarver, Fountain City, Mrs. Lorieta Tadlock, Knoxville, Mrs. Lucille Wright, Centerville, Ohio; sons, Ernest L. Peters Jr., Howard Peters, both of Corryton; sister, Mrs. Lela Underwood, brothers W R Williamson, Knoxville, Charles Bray, California; 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Funeral 3 p.m. Sunday from Stevens Chapel, Rev. Robert Copeland, Rev. John Jarvis officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers Dexter Letsinger, Clyde Letsinger, Edward Cole, Jimmy Underwood, Don Williamson, Charles Truan. Family will receive friends from 7 to 9 Saturday at Stevens Mortuary.16
Burial9 January 1966; Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.15,1,16
Burial Inscription
Lola E. Peters, 1900-1966, same marker as E. Lester Peters.15
Burial GPS
17

Citations

  1. Death Certificate: Peters, Lola Ethel; Certificate 66 901240; Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, 1966.
  2. John and Mahala Jane Williamson Family Bible in the possession of Ruth Peters Bryan. The Bible was passed from John and Mahala to their daughter Lola Williamson Peters, and thence to Lola's daughter Ruth Peters Bryan.
  3. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1957; License 988, page 330; Paul Marshall Tarver and Virginia Irene Peters.
  4. Obituary: Bryan, Beatrice Ruth Peters; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 4 Nov 2020, page A12.
  5. Bryan, Jerry: research notes, 5 Jan 2017 (Lola Ethel Williamson.)
  6. U.S. Federal Census: 1900, Loudon County, Tennessee, Dist. 9, Enumeration District 103, page 84b, ancestry.com (1900 U.S. Census) viewed on 5 Jan 2016.
  7. U.S. Federal Census: 1910, Loudon County, Tennessee, Dist. 2, Enumeration District 138, page 158a, ancestry.com (1910 U.S. Census) viewed on 29 Apr 2016.
  8. U.S. Federal Census: 1920, Loudon County, Tennessee, Lenoir City, Enumeration District 149, page 212a, sheet 27a, ancestry.com (1920 U.S. Census) viewed on 30 Apr 2016.
  9. Marriage Announcement: Lola Ethel Williamson and Ernest Lester Peters; unknown newspaper, Scrapbook of Lola Williamson Peters.
  10. Marriage Record: Loudon County, Tennessee, 1921; Book 3, page 337; Ernest Lester Peters and Lola Ethel Williamson, ancestry.com (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002), viewed 20 Apr 2014.
  11. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1946; License 131; Robert Elmer Bryan and Beatrice Ruth Peters.
  12. U.S. Federal Census: 1930, Knox County, Tennessee, Dist. 9, Enumeration Dist. 47-56, page 183a, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 13 Nov 2014.
  13. U.S. Federal Census: 1940, Anderson County, Tennessee, Dist. 9, Enumeration Dist. 1-14, page 244a, ancestry.com (1940 U.S. Census) viewed on 10 Dec 2014.
  14. U.S. Federal Census: 1950, Knox County, Tennessee, Enumeration District 47-63, sheet 048, ancestry.com (1950 U.S. Census) viewed on 14 Aug 2023.
  15. Grave marker: Lola E. Peters; Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; photographed 14 Sep 2013 by Jerry Bryan.
  16. Obituary: Peters, Mrs. Lola Ethel Williamson; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 8 Jan 1966, page 8.
  17. GPS for Peters, Lester and Lola grave: 36.031402, -83.915407, recorded 14 Sep 2013 by Jerry Bryan.
Family Explorer

William Jackson (Jack, Bill) Bryan

Male, born 29 January 1922, died 21 April 2005
FatherEmmert Oral Bryan (born 1 November 1898, died 12 November 1978)
MotherRuby Priscilla Cox (born 18 July 1903, died 9 August 1925)

Partner: Nettie Wilma (Wilma) Tindell (born 2 December 1919, died 14 May 1996)

Partner: Florence Marie Brown (born 16 April 1925, died 5 December 1993)

SonJackie Steven (Steve) Bryan (born 10 October 1953, died 24 March 1996)
General SourcesWilliam Jackson (Jack, Bill) Bryan.1,2,3,4,5,6
Birth29 January 1922; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.
He was known as Jack in the family and as Bill at work.

Birth Certificate:
1. Name - William Jackson Bryan
2. Date of birth - Jan. 29 - 1922
3. Sex - male
4. Time of Birth - 12:30 a.m.
5. Place of Birth - Morristown Hamblen
6. Facility or Hospital - ---------------
7. Mother's Full Maiden Name - Ruby Priscilla Cox
8. Mother's Age or Date of Birth - 18
9. Mother's State of Birth - Tennessee
10. Mother's Occupation - Housewife
11. Father's Full Name - Emmert Oral Bryan
12. Father's Age or Date of Birth - 23
13. Father's State of Birth - Tennessee
14. Father's Occupation - Mecanic (mechanic)
15. Mailing Address at Birth - Morristown Tennessee
16. Attendant at Birth - P.L. Brock (The attendant P.L. Brock was the family physician Pryor Lee Brock.)
17. Attendant's Address - Morristown Tennessee
18. Date Certificate Filed - 2-9-1922
Other Information - 1st Birth.7,2,8,3,9,10,11
ParentsEmmert Oral Bryan and Ruby Priscilla Cox.10
Census1930; Knox County, Tennessee. Household of his father Emmert Oral Bryan.
Ward 18, Enumeration District 47-45, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee, 7 Apr 1930.
page 266b, 953 Atlantic Ave., family number 109, dwelling number 115.
William J. 8 son, male, single, white, born in TN, father born in TN, mother born VA.
(His mother was born in Tennessee rather than in Virginia. The error occurred because the enumerator incorrectly attributed the birthplace of his stepmother to his mother.)12
Census1940; Knox County, Tennessee. Household of his father Emmert Oral Bryan.
Dist. 13, Enumeration District 47-33, Knox County, Tennessee, 9 Apr 1940.
page 622a, Sheet 2a, dwelling number 27, Morgan Quarry Road.
Jack 18 son, male, single, white, 10 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 Knox County.2
Marriage1 September 1943; William Jackson (Jack, Bill) Bryan, and Nettie Wilma (Wilma) Tindell; Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.
Marriage Application, No. 3558, State of Tennessee, Knox County. Date Sept 1, 1943. To J. W. Dance, Clerk, Knox County, Tenn: We hereby make application for a Marriage License for William Jackson Bryan, age 21, Address - Route 12 Knoxville Tn, Wilma Tindell, age 23, Address - R-12 Ft. City Tn., Parents - Mr. & Mrs. Frank Tindell, Ft. City Tenn. I solemnly swear that the foregoing application are true. (signed) William Jackson Bryan, Wilma Tindell. Know all men by these presents that we are held and firmly bound unto the State of Tennessee in the sum of Twelve Hundred and Fifty Dollars, to be void on condition that there be no lawful cause to prevent a marriage from being solemnized in the County of Knox, between William Jackson Bryan and Wilma Tindell. Witness our hand and seals, the 1 day of Sept 1943. (signed) William Jackson Bryan, Wilma Tindell. Date of Marriage - Sept 1 1943 by A. N. Dailey, M.G. Marriage License, State of Tennessee, County of Knox. To any Minister of the Gospel, Priest or Jewish Rabbi, having the care of Souls, or Judge, or Justice of the Peace for said County - Greeting: I, J.W.(Jack) Dance, Clerk of the County Court of Knox County aforesaid, by the power vested in me by law, do license you or either of you, to celebrate the Rites of Matrimony between William Jackson Bryan of Knoxville Tenn. and Wilma Tindell of Ft. City Tenn. Given in office in Knoxville the 1st day of Sept 1943 and of American Independence, 167. J. W. Dance Clerk. By R. T. Mynatt Deputy Clerk. Marriage license No 3558. William Jackson Bryan to Wilma Tindell, 1943. J. W. (Jack) Dance, Clerk. I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above parties on the 1 day of Sept 1943. (signed) A. N. Dailey, minister.13,14
Divorce17 March 1945; Nettie Wilma (Wilma) Tindell; Knox County, Tennessee.8
Marriage17 January 1946; William Jackson (Jack, Bill) Bryan, and Florence Marie Brown; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.
Page 363, Marriage Record, Hamblen County, Tennessee. W. J. Bryan and Florence Brown. Application for Marriage License, Jan 17, 1946. To Geo. N. Smith, Clerk of the County Court of Hamblen County, Tennessee. Male: W. J. Bryan, age 23, Knoxville, Tenn. Female: Florence Brown, age 20, Knoxville, Tenn. Female's Parents: Father - James F. Brown, Byington; Mother - Mrs. Jas. F. Brown, Byington. The undersigned W. J. Bryan being duly sworn, makes oath that the statements made in the foregoing application are true, and signs and makes oath hereto as and for an application for (signed) W. J. Bryan, Florence Brown. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17 day of Jan, 1946. (signed) Geo N. Smith, Deputy Clerk. State of Tennessee, Hamblen County. To any Minister of the Gospel having the Care of Souls, Jewish Rabbi, Justice of the Peach of said County, Judge, the Governor, and the Speaker of the State Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives - Greeting: You, or either of you, are hereby authorized to solemnize the Rite of Matrimony between W. J. Bryan and Florence Brown of your County, agreeably to the direction of the Act of the Assembly in such case made and provided. Provided always, That the Rite of Matrimony be solemnized in this County; otherwise these shall be null and void, and shall not be accounted an license or authority to you, or either of you, for the purpose aforesaid, more than though the same had never been prayed or granted. Etc. Given at the Clerk's Office of said County, this 17 day of Jan, 1946. (signed) Geo. N Smith, County Court Clerk. I solemnized the Rite of Matrimony between the above named parties in the 17 day of Jan, 1946 at Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee. License returned the 18 day of January, 1946. L. C. Sanders, M.G., Morristown. State of Tennessee, Hamblen County, Marriage License, W. J. Bryan and Florence Brown, Issued Jan. 17, 1946, Geo. N. Smith, Clerk. I solemnized the Rite of Matrimony between the within named parties on the 17 day of Jan. 1946, L. C. Sanders, Morristown, Tenn. Returned 18 day of Jan 1946, Geo. N Smith, Clerk. Recorded in Marriage Record Book 23, Page 363.3,9,15
Birth of Child10 October 1953; Jackie Steven (Steve) Bryan; Fort Sanders Hospital, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.
Death21 April 2005; Clinton, Anderson County, Tennessee.10
ObituaryKnoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 23 Apr 2005, page B8.
Bryan, William J. (Bill) - born January 29, 1922, passed away April 21, 2005. He was preceded in death by wife, Florence (Brown) Bryan; son, Steve Bryan; father, E.O. Bryan; mother, Ruby (Cox) Bryan; step-mother, Ella Kate Bryan; sister, Lena Truan. He leaves behind his sons and their wives, Joseph and Kathryn Bryan, Jay and Judy Bryan, and Tom and Donna Bryan; grandchildren, Angie Bryan, Duane Bryan, Jill Pitkanen, Whitney Bryan Bartera, Mark and Kayla Bryan; great grandson, Korbin Pitkanen; brother, Robert Bryan; sister, Bonnie Johnson; sisters-in-law Frankie Kramer and Brenda Lee; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was a Veteran of WWII and served proudly in the U.S. Navy as a Radar Operator. He was employed by Union Carbide at the X-10 Plant for 33 years until his retirement. He was a Volunteer Dispatcher for the Karns Volunteer Fire Dept. for several years. He was a CB operator for years, his handle was "Salty". He was a member of Solway United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the Choir. He enjoyed singing Hymns and one of his favorites was "In the Garden". The family will receive friends 6-8 pm Saturday at Weaver's Chapel with the service to follow at 8 pm. Reverends Henry Lenoir and Gordon Ridenour officiating. Family and friends will meet at 1:45 pm Sunday at Solway Church of God Cemetery for a 2 pm graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Solway United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 7085, Knoxville, TN 37921 or the Karns Volunteer Fire Dept., 4725 Guinn Rd., Knoxville, TN 37931. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home.10
Burial24 April 2005; Solway Church of God Cemetery, Knox County, Tennessee;
Grave marker: William J. Bryan, Jan. 29, 1922 - Apr 21, 2005, same marker as Florence B. Bryan. Foot stone: William J. Bryan, US Navy, World War II, Jan. 29, 1922 - Apr. 24, 2005.10,16
NarrativeThe following is from The Nichols Book by Wyatt Nichols.
Jack, the oldest child of Emmert and Ruby Cox Bryan, is a great fellow and I could write much about him. I will put this incident in. His grandmother, my Aunt Loretta Nichols Cox, came to visit me in Cleveland, Ohio, about 1939. Jack slipped away from home and hitch-hiked to Cleveland from Tennessee, about three weeks after his grandmother came to visit us. He found employment here in Cleveland, Ohio, and worked until the beginning of World War II. He immediately enlisted in the United States Navy and spent five years serving his country with a fine record. I personally am very proud of Jack. He married a girl by the name of Florence Brown. They have four children, namely, Joseph W., James, Phillip T., and Jackie S.

Citations

  1. Wyatt M. Nichols Sr.; The Nichols Book: Some Early Nichols Families in America, Their Origins and Histories; Cleveland, Ohio; Block Printing Company, 1962; page 74.
  2. U.S. Federal Census: 1940, Knox County, Tennessee, Dist. 13, Enumeration Dist. 47-33, page 622a, ancestry.com (1940 U.S. Census) viewed on 9 Dec 2014.
  3. Bryan, William Jackson; Bryan's from the 1790's; unpublished manuscript; page 7.
  4. Obituary: Bryan, Florence B.; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 7 Dec 1993, page A-9.
  5. Obituary: Bryan, Jackie Steven (Steve); Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 26 Mar 1996, page C-9.
  6. Obituary: Truan, Lena Bryan; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 13 Oct 1994, page D11.
  7. Birth Certificate: Bryan, William Jackson; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee; 1922.
  8. Divorce Record: Bryan, William Jackson and Wilma Tindell Bryan; 3/17/1945, Knox County, Tennessee, Domestic Relations Court, Docket 494, Series A, Circuit-4.
  9. Marriage Record: Hamblen County, Tennessee, 1946; page 363; W. J. Bryan and Florence Brown, ancestry.com (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002), viewed 3 Nov 2014.
  10. Obituary: Bryan, William J. (Bill); Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 23 Apr 2005, page B8.
  11. Death Certificate, William Jackson Bryan
  12. U.S. Federal Census: 1930, Knox County, Tennessee, Ward 18, Enumeration District 47-45, page 266b, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 20 Sep 2015.
  13. Marriage Record: Knox County, Tennessee, 1952; License 827; William Jackson Bryan and Wilma Tindell.
  14. Robert E. Bryan, Personal Interview 23 Jul 2007
  15. William Jackson Bryan
  16. Tombstone, William J. Bryan (from personal visit to Greenwood Cemetery by Jerry Bryan)
Family Explorer

Lena Maude Bryan

Female, born 27 October 1923, died 13 October 1994
FatherEmmert Oral Bryan (born 1 November 1898, died 12 November 1978)
MotherRuby Priscilla Cox (born 18 July 1903, died 9 August 1925)

Partner: Louis Charles (Louie) Truan, Jr., (born 17 October 1919, died 1 November 1984)

General SourcesLena Maude Bryan.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13
Birth27 October 1923; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Birth Certificate:
1. Child's Full Name: Lena Maude Bryan
2. Date of Birth: Oct. 27 - 1923
3. Sex - Female
4. Time of Birth: ---
5. Place of Birth: Jefferson
6. Facility or Hospital: ---
7. Mother's Full Maiden Name: Ruby Priscilla Cox
8. Mother's Age or Date of Birth: ---
9. Mother's State of Birth: Tennessee
10. Mother's Occupation: ---
11. Father's Full Name: Emmert Oral Bryan
12. Father's Age or Date of Birth: ---
13. Father's State of Birth: Tennessee
14. Father's Occupation: ---
15. Mailing Address at Birth: ---
16. Attendant at Birth: ---
17. Attendant's Address: ---
18. Date Certificate Filed: 5-1-67
Other Information: Information is missing because this is a Delayed Birth Cert. Father sent affidavit to establish the birth certificate:
Verified by: Deborah Rucker
Title: Customer Service
Date Verified: 6-28-11.1,3,4,5,10
ParentsEmmert Oral Bryan and Ruby Priscilla Cox.
Census1930; Knox County, Tennessee. Household of her father Emmert Oral Bryan.
Ward 18, Enumeration District 47-45, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee, 7 Apr 1930.
page 266b, 953 Atlantic Ave., family number 109, dwelling number 115.
Lena M. 6 daughter, female, single, white, born in TN, father born in TN, mother born VA
(Her mother was born in Tennessee rather than in Virginia. The error occurred because the enumerator incorrectly attributed the birthplace of her stepmother to her mother.)14
Census1940; Knox County, Tennessee. Household of her father Emmert Oral Bryan.
Dist. 13, Enumeration District 47-33, Knox County, Tennessee, 9 Apr 1940.
page 622a, Sheet 2a, dwelling number 27, Morgan Quarry Road.
Lena M. 16 daughter, female, single, white, 8 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 Knox County.4
Marriage23 April 1941; Lena Maude Bryan and Louis Charles (Louie) Truan, Jr.; Campbell County, Tennessee.

page 150, Marriage License Record, Campbell County, Tenn. April 23, 1941. L. C. Truan, Jr. to Lena Maude Bryan. I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above-named parties on the 23 day of April, 1941, Rev. Robert M. Hicks.5,6,8,10,12
Death13 October 1994; Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.3,10,15
Obituary
Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 13 Oct 1994, page D11.
Truan, Lena Bryan - age 70, of Knoxville, passed away her home October 13, 1994. Member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Preceded in death by her husband, Louis Charles Truan. Survivors: daughter Martha Barnes; daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Gordon Ridenour; son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Donna Truan; five grandchildren, Melanie Joy, David Truan, Greta Chapman, Erica Ridenour, Kelly Barnes; great-grandson, Tyler Joy; brothers, William Jackson Bryan, Robert E. Bryan; sister, Bonnie Johnson, all of Knoxville. Services 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Mynatt's Chapel. Rev. Carl Oakes officiating. Family and friends will meet 1 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Cemetery for interment. Contributions be made to the church of your choice. The family will receive friends following the service until 7:30 p.m. at Mynatt's.10
Burial17 October 1994; Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; Grave marker: Lena B. Truan, 1923 -1994, same marker as Louis C. Truan. GPS: 36.030870,-83.915990.3,10
NarrativeThe following is from The Nichols Book by Wyatt Nichols.
Lena Maud, second child of Emmert and Ruby Cox Bryan, is typical in stature of the Nichols women folk, small and petite and eyes which are so typical of the Nichols women folk. She married L. C. Truan, Jr. They have three children, namely, Nancy, Charles and Martha.

Citations

  1. Birth Verification: Bryan, Lena Maude; Jefferson County, Tennessee; 1923.
  2. Wyatt M. Nichols Sr.; The Nichols Book: Some Early Nichols Families in America, Their Origins and Histories; Cleveland, Ohio; Block Printing Company, 1962; page 74.
  3. Grave marker: Lena B. Truan; Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; photographed 14 Sep 2013 by Jerry Bryan.
  4. U.S. Federal Census: 1940, Knox County, Tennessee, Dist. 13, Enumeration Dist. 47-33, page 622a, ancestry.com (1940 U.S. Census) viewed on 9 Dec 2014.
  5. Bryan, William Jackson; Bryan's from the 1790's; unpublished manuscript; page 7.
  6. Marriage Record: Campbell County, Tennessee, 1941; page 150; Lena Maude Bryan and L. C. Truan, ancestry.com (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002), viewed 3 Nov 2014.
  7. Obituary: Bryan, Emmert O.; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 13 Nov 1978, page A2.
  8. Obituary: Bryan, Mrs. Kate Nottingham; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 15 Dec 1976, page A-11.
  9. Obituary: Bryan, Ruby P.; Gazette and Mail [Morristown, Tennessee], 10 Aug 1925, page 3.
  10. Obituary: Truan, Lena Bryan; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 13 Oct 1994, page D11.
  11. Obituary: Bryan, William J. (Bill); Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 23 Apr 2005, page B8.
  12. Obituary: Louis C. Truan, Jr.; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 2 Nov 1984, page B2.
  13. William Jackson Bryan
  14. U.S. Federal Census: 1930, Knox County, Tennessee, Ward 18, Enumeration District 47-45, page 266b, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 20 Sep 2015.
  15. Social Security Death Index (ancestry.com)
Family Explorer

Florence Marie Brown

Female, born 16 April 1925, died 5 December 1993
FatherJames F. (Jim) Brown (born 6 August 1904, died 12 March 1995)
MotherLena Maud (Maud) Russell (born 2 June 1906, died 9 November 1976)

Partner: William Jackson (Jack, Bill) Bryan, (born 29 January 1922, died 21 April 2005)

SonJackie Steven (Steve) Bryan (born 10 October 1953, died 24 March 1996)
General SourcesFlorence Marie Brown.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Birth16 April 1925; Tennessee.2,3,4,5,6,10,11,9
ParentsJames F. (Jim) Brown and Lena Maud (Maud) Russell.
Census1930; Anderson County, Tennessee.
Florence 5 boarder female single white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, enumerated with her parents and sister, with the whole family listed as boarders household of J. Mack Smith.2,3
Census1940; Knox County, Tennessee. Household of her father James F. Brown.
Florence 15 daughter, female, single, white, 8 years school, born in TN, lived 1935 same house.4
Marriage17 January 1946; Florence Marie Brown and William Jackson (Jack, Bill) Bryan; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.
Page 363, Marriage Record, Hamblen County, Tennessee. W. J. Bryan and Florence Brown. Application for Marriage License, Jan 17, 1946. To Geo. N. Smith, Clerk of the County Court of Hamblen County, Tennessee. Male: W. J. Bryan, age 23, Knoxville, Tenn. Female: Florence Brown, age 20, Knoxville, Tenn. Female's Parents: Father - James F. Brown, Byington; Mother - Mrs. Jas. F. Brown, Byington. The undersigned W. J. Bryan being duly sworn, makes oath that the statements made in the foregoing application are true, and signs and makes oath hereto as and for an application for (signed) W. J. Bryan, Florence Brown. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17 day of Jan, 1946. (signed) Geo N. Smith, Deputy Clerk. State of Tennessee, Hamblen County. To any Minister of the Gospel having the Care of Souls, Jewish Rabbi, Justice of the Peach of said County, Judge, the Governor, and the Speaker of the State Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives - Greeting: You, or either of you, are hereby authorized to solemnize the Rite of Matrimony between W. J. Bryan and Florence Brown of your County, agreeably to the direction of the Act of the Assembly in such case made and provided. Provided always, That the Rite of Matrimony be solemnized in this County; otherwise these shall be null and void, and shall not be accounted an license or authority to you, or either of you, for the purpose aforesaid, more than though the same had never been prayed or granted. Etc. Given at the Clerk's Office of said County, this 17 day of Jan, 1946. (signed) Geo. N Smith, County Court Clerk. I solemnized the Rite of Matrimony between the above named parties in the 17 day of Jan, 1946 at Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee. License returned the 18 day of January, 1946. L. C. Sanders, M.G., Morristown. State of Tennessee, Hamblen County, Marriage License, W. J. Bryan and Florence Brown, Issued Jan. 17, 1946, Geo. N. Smith, Clerk. I solemnized the Rite of Matrimony between the within named parties on the 17 day of Jan. 1946, L. C. Sanders, Morristown, Tenn. Returned 18 day of Jan 1946, Geo. N Smith, Clerk. Recorded in Marriage Record Book 23, Page 363.5,6,9
Birth of Child10 October 1953; Jackie Steven (Steve) Bryan; Fort Sanders Hospital, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.
Death5 December 1993; Knox County, Tennessee.5,10,11
Obituary
Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 7 Dec 1993, page A-9.
Bryan, Florence B. - age 68, of Karns, passed away Sunday, December 5, 1993, at the family home. Member of Solway United Methodist Church. She was a devoted mother. Survivors: husband, Bill Bryan; sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne and Donna and Tom and Donna Bryan, sons, Jay and Steve Bryan; father, James F. Brown; sister, Frances Kramer and Brenda Lee; brother, Roger Brown; six grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Family and friends will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday for graveside services at Solway Church of God Cemetery, Rev. Bob Hamilton and Rev. Gordon Ridenour officiating. Honorary pallbearers: Gary Williams, Jim Brown, Larry Brown, Duane Bryan, Terry Kramer, Luke Lee, and Brian Lee. Arrangements by Weaver's Cumberland Memorial Chapel.10
Burial7 December 1993; Solway Church of God Cemetery, Knox County, Tennessee;
Grave marker: Florence B. Bryan, Apr. 16, 1925 - Dec. 4, 1993, same marker as William J. Bryan.10,12

Citations

  1. Wyatt M. Nichols Sr.; The Nichols Book: Some Early Nichols Families in America, Their Origins and Histories; Cleveland, Ohio; Block Printing Company, 1962; page 74.
  2. U.S. Federal Census: 1930, Anderson County, Tennessee, Dist. 4, Enumeration Dist. 1-4, page 34b, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 5 Feb 2015.
  3. U.S. Federal Census: 1930, Anderson County, Tennessee, Dist. 4, Enumeration Dist. 1-4, page 35a, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 5 Feb 2015.
  4. U.S. Federal Census: 1940, Knox County, Tennessee, Dist. 9, Enumeration Dist. 47-26, page 507a, ancestry.com (1940 U.S. Census) viewed on 9 Dec 2014.
  5. Bryan, William Jackson; Bryan's from the 1790's; unpublished manuscript; page 7.
  6. Marriage Record: Hamblen County, Tennessee, 1946; page 363; W. J. Bryan and Florence Brown, ancestry.com (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002), viewed 3 Nov 2014.
  7. Obituary: Bryan, Jackie Steven (Steve); Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 26 Mar 1996, page C-9.
  8. Obituary: Bryan, William J. (Bill); Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 23 Apr 2005, page B8.
  9. William Jackson Bryan
  10. Obituary: Bryan, Florence B.; Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 7 Dec 1993, page A-9.
  11. Social Security Death Index (ancestry.com)
  12. Tombstone, Florence B. Bryan (from personal visit to Solway Church of God Cemetery by Jerry Bryan)
Compiler: Jerry Bryan
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