| Son* | Emmert Oral Bryan+ (born 1 November 1898, died 12 November 1978) |
| Daughter* | Lydia Ethel (Ethel) Bryan+ (born 25 February 1902, died 19 June 1994) |
| Daughter* | Edna Omage Bryan+ (born 8 December 1908, died 19 January 1989) |
| Daughter* | Willie Josephine (Bill) Bryan+ (born 26 September 1910, died 2 February 1987) |
| Name Sources | Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison.1,2 |
| Photographs | ![]() |
| Birth | 14 April 1876; Jefferson County, Tennessee.3,4,5,2 |
| Parents | Joseph (Joe) Harrison and Susan A. Slaton.5,6 |
| 1880 Census | ![]() Household of her father Joseph (Joe) Harrison Enumeration District 169, Dist. 16, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 5 Jun 1880 page 369a, dwelling number 74, family number 75 Nancy J. 4, daughter, female, single, white, born TN, father born VA, mother born NC.6 |
| Marriage | 24 October 1897; Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison age 21 and William Harley (Harley) Bryan age 21; Shady Grove, Jefferson County, Tennessee.7,8 |
| Marriage Bond | ![]() Know all Men, That we, W.H. Bryan & E. L. McCall, of the County of Jefferson 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, firmly by these presents. The condition of the above obligation is such, That whereas, W.H. Bryan hath prayed and obtained a License to marry Nannie Harrison. Now, if there shall no hereafter appear any lawful cause why the said W.H. Bryan and Nannie Harrison 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 the 20th day of October,1897. (signed) W. H. Bryan, E. L. McCall. ----- The bondsman Edward L. McCall was Harley's first cousin. Harley's mother Malissa Emmaline Underwood and Edward's mother Malinda Underwood were twin sisters.9 |
| Marriage License | ![]() To any Minister of the Gospel having Care of Souls, or Justice of the Peace of said County - Greeting: You or Either of You, Are hereby authorized to Solemnize the Rites of Matrimony between W. H. Bryan and Nannie Harrison 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 purposes aforesaid, more than though the same had never been prayed or granted, etc. Given at the Clerk's office of said County, this 20th day of October, 1897. G.W. Hill, County Court Clerk.10 |
| Marriage Return | ![]() I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the within parties on the 24 day of Oct, 1897. H. C. Chambers, Justice of the Peace. Residence near Shady Grove.7 |
| Marriage Record | ![]() Oct. 24, 1897. W. H. Bryan to Nannie Harrison, H. G. Chambers, Justice of the Peace, Shady Grove, Tenn.8 |
| Birth of Child | 1 November 1898, Emmert Oral Bryan, Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee, age of mother: 22.11 |
| 1900 Census | ![]() Household of her husband William Harley (Harley) Bryan Enumeration District 143, Dist. 8, Sevier County, Tennessee, 6 Jun 1900 page 119a, dwelling number 48, family number 49, enumerated by James B. Douglass Nanni V. 24, wife, female, married 2 years, white, born Apr 1876, born TN, father born VA, mother born NC.12 |
| Birth of Child | 25 February 1902, Lydia Ethel (Ethel) Bryan, Jefferson County, Tennessee, age of mother: 25.1 |
| Birth of Child | 8 December 1908, Edna Omage Bryan, District 8, Sevier County, Tennessee, age of mother: 32.3 |
| 1910 Census | ![]() Household of her husband William Harley (Harley) Bryan Enumeration District 142, Dist. 8, Sevier County, Tennessee, 4 May 1910 page 123a, dwelling number 200, family number 201 Bryan William H. 34, head, male, married 12 years, white, farmer, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN Nannie V. 34, wife, female, married 12 years, white, home, born TN, father born VA, mother born NC, 3 children, 3 living.13 |
| Birth of Child | 26 September 1910, Willie Josephine (Bill) Bryan, Dist. 8, Sevier County, Tennessee, age of mother: 34.4 |
| Death of husband | William Harley (Harley) Bryan, 15 December 1915, age 39, Kodak, Sevier County, Tennessee, wife's age 39.14 |
| Phone Directory | ![]() She was listed in the June 1916 directory of the Peoples Telephone and Telegraph Company, Knox Co and surrounding areas. She was not living in Knox County. Rather, the phone service extended into Sevier County from Knox County. She was served by the Beech Springs Exchange in Kodak. She was listed as W H Bryan, her husband's name, but Harley had died in 1915.15 |
| Narrative | In 1916, Nannie purchased a 33 acre farm from P.W. Lindsey and wife Mattie. The purchase apparently was occasioned by the death of her husband Harley Bryan. She appears to have been moving the family from the Bryan farm in Sevier County back to her roots in Jefferson County to be close to her mother and her uncle. The same 33 acre farm had been owned several years previously by her parents. Her new farm was adjacent to 100 acres then owned by her uncle Frank Slaton. Her new farm was also adjacent to land then owned by her mother Susan Slaton Harrison. On modern maps, Nannie's farm may be found northeast of Green Hill Road and between Roberts Road and Goose Creek Road. Roberts Road is a short dead end road which is accessed from Green Hill Road. Goose Creek Road makes a T-intersection with Green Hill Road. Green Hill Road in turn makes a T intersection with Asheville Highway just north of Asheville Highway's intersection with Interstate 40 (exit 415). Nannie's farm is now the Quiet Oaks Subdivision and the subdivision entrance is on Goose Creek Road. Nannie's son Emmert became the financial support for the family upon his father's death. Emmert worked at least one summer and perhaps two summers on the farm of Nannie's first cousin Walk Slaton in Oklahoma, sending the money he made home to Nannie. It was probably this money that Nannie used to purchase her parents' old home place in Jefferson County.16 |
| Deed | ![]() ![]() page 162. P.W. Lindsey and wife to Nannie Bryan, Registered February 20th, 1918. East Tennessee Warranty Deed This Indenture made this 29th day of November, A.D., 1916 between P.W. Lindsey and wife Mattie Lindsey of Jefferson County in the State of Tennessee of the second part, and Nannie Bryan of Sevier County, Tenn. of the second part. Witnesseth, That the said parties of the first part for in consideration of the sum of one Thousand dollars, Five hundred thirty two dollars and 70/100 is therein in hand paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged for the remainder of $467.30 two notes of even date. 1st for $150.00 due Jany 1 - 1918 2nd for $100.00 due Jany 1 1919. With interest payable annually, have been executed and the party of the first owes William Foland a note secured by trust for $100.00 with interest, and to Geo. Thomas by note $106.00 and interest for 1 year. These 2 debts is assumed by the party of the second part. A specific lien is hereby retained on the property herein consigned to secure the above notes. have granted, bargained, sold, and conveyed, and do hereby grant, grant, bargain, sell, and convey unto the said party of the second part, the following described premises - to wit. Situated in District No. 1 of Jefferson County Tenn. Beginning on a rock corner of the 4 1/4 acre tract conveyed to Shannon Jeffers, thence with the line of the same N.80 E. near 80 poles to a rock with same to the walnut at the branch, Slaytons corner, thence with the old line, East 16 poles to a stake small pine persimmon N4 E.91 poles to a take on the old line, N.80 E 30 1/2 poles to a pine stump, thence with the old line N.57W30 to a rock in the road with chestnut pointer corner with John Hicks thence with his line S.22 W.73 poles to a rock at a gully corner of a tract conveyed by John Hicks to W. P. Lindsay, thence with and including the same N.59 1/2 W 84 feet to a stake at a gully S.78 W 231 feet to a stake at a gulley S 23 1/2 W.112 feet to a rock S.72 W 309 feet to a rock at the road, Harrison's corner, with the old line S.60E.54 poles to the beginning, containing 33 acres more or less. page 163. To Have and to Hold the said premises to the said party of the second part, her heirs and assigns, forever. And the said parties of the first part for themselves and for their heirs, executors, and administrators, do hereby covenant with the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns, that they are lawfully seized in fee simple of the premises above conveyed, and have full power, authority, and right to convey the same; that said prem- ises are free from all encumbrances Except as above stated and they will forever warrant and defined the said premises and the title thereto against the lawful claims of all persons whom- soever In Witness Whereof, The said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written. P. W. Lindsey Mattie Lindsey State of Tennessee Jefferson County Personally appeared be for me, R. T. Zirkle, a Notary Public in and for said County, the within-named bargainors, P. W. Lindsey et ux Mattie Lindsey with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledge that they executed the within instrument for the purposes therein contained. And Mattie Lindsey wife of the said P.W. Lindsey having appeared before me privately and apart from her husband, the said Mattie Lindsey acknowledged the execution of the said Deed to have been done by her freely, voluntarily and understandingly, without the compulsion of constraint from her said husband, and for the purposes therein expressed. Witness my hand and official seal at, office, this 29th day of Nov., A.D. 1916. R. T. Zirkle, Notary Public Received for record 14th day of February 1918, at 9 o'clock a.m. J. C. Sanders Register.16 |
| Narrative | Nannie's purchase of her parents' old home place in Jefferson County after Harley's death suggests an answer to a mystery about the family. Namely, how did so many of Nannie's children end up marrying somebody from Jefferson County? The Bryan family had deep roots in Sevier County. Harley and Nannie raised their children in a tenant house on the property of Harley's father Will Bryan in Sevier County. But three of Nannie's four children married someone from Jefferson County with Emmert marrying Ruby Cox, Ethel marrying Elmer Cox, and Edna marrying Lon Williams. The Green Valley Road area in Jefferson County along Goose Creek where the Coxes and Harrisons lived is about 10 miles from the Bryan home place in Sevier County. So Nannie's move of the family to Jefferson County must have enabled three of her children to meet their respective spouses near to their new home.16 |
| 1920 Census | ![]() Head of household Enumeration District 64, Dist. 1, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 14-15 Jan 1920, enumerated by Herbert F. Bible page 12a, Jefferson City Pike, dwelling number 217, family number 218, owned the house, free of mortgage Bryan Nannie 37 head female widowed, white farmer, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN, can R/W Emmert 21, son, male, single, white, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN, can R/W Edna 11, daughter, female, single, white, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN, can R/W, attended school Willie 9, daughter, female, single, white, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN, can R/W, attended school.17 |
| Narrative | In 1922, she purchased 4 acres from the county clerk court. The land had been owned in the past by Wilsher Slaton who was the brother of her maternal grandfather Thomas Fielden Slaton. The property was sold at auction by the clerk to settle a dispute among Slaton family members. The land was purchased at auction by Joseph Porter Slaton who was her first cousin. Port Slaton then assigned his bid to her. The 4 acres were on what is now Green Hill Road, and the property was very near to the 33 acre farm which she then owned and where she then resided. She later sold the 4 acres to George Jackson Cox and his wife Clarissa Loretta (Rett) Nichols. Her son Emmert had married the Cox's daughter Ruby in 1921.18 |
| Deed | ![]() Clerk Deed C.S. Rainwater Clerk to Nannie Bryant (sic). Registered July 12th 1923. This Indenture Made the 16th day of October A.D. 1922 between C.S. Rainwater, clerk of County Court of Jefferson County, Tennessee of the first part and Nannie Bryant of Jefferson County, State of Tennessee of the second part. Witnesseth: that by a decree of said court received at the Sept. term 1920, in the cause of J.D. Harrison et al. complainant, and Eunice Allen Defendant and entered on page 140-43 of Quo. Minute Book #12, the said Clerk did on the 16th day of October 1920, sell at public auction the real estate hereinafter de- scribed to the said J.P. Slaton who assigned his bid to Nannie Bryant for Two hundred Fifty five & 50/10 Dollars as appears from the report of said Clerk Made in said cause to the November term, 1920, and entered on page 185-7 of Quo. Minute Book #12; and the said Nannie Bryant having paid said sum of Two hundred Fifty Five & 50/100 Dollars as required by the decree of said court, confirming said report, of record in Quorum Min. Bk #12 Page 185 to 187, Now, therefore, in order to carry into effect and sale, in pursuance of said decree and in consideration of the sum of $255.50 Dollars paid to said clerk the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the said C. S. Rainwater, as such clerk, doth hereby Transfer and convey to the said Nannie Bryant and her heirs and assigns forever, said tract or parcel of land Situated in the County of Jefferson and State of Tennessee, and bounded and described as follows, viz.: Known as Tract No. 2 sold in this cause, Situated in the 1st Civil District of Jefferson County, Tennessee. Adjoining the lands and known as Sherbett and Woods and Vance lands, and Beginning on Sherbett line, corner of Vance land; thence N.62 W.29 poles 20 links with Sherbett to Woods line: thence S. 23 W.40 poles with Woods line to Woods fence; thence with the fence S 17 E 7 1/2 poles, thence S. 88 E. 15 poles and 20 links to a stake and Stump in Vance's line; thence N. 8 W. 12 poles and 22 links to a stake and corner to Vance; thence a straight line to the beginning, containing 4 acres more or less, and being the lands conveyed to Joseph Harrison by W.C. Slaton and others by deed dated or ack- knowledged, Feby 11th 1901, and registered in said Register's office in deed Book No.29 Page 403. To have and to hold said real estate with the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging to the said Nannie Bryant and her heirs and assigns forever. In Witness whereof, the said C. S. Rainwater, clerk, as aforesaid hath hereunto set his hand the date first above written. C. S. Rainwater Clerk State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. Personally appeared before me C. A. Davis chairman of the County Court of said County, the aforementioned C. S. Rainwater Clerk and special commis- ioner, the bargainer, with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that he executed the annexed instrument for the purposes therein contained. Witness my hand, at office this 16th day of October 1922. C. A. Davis Chairman Rec'd for Record July 12th, 1923 at 8:15 o'clock A.M. J. C. Sanders Register.18 |
| Missing from City Directory | 1926; Knoxville, Tennessee. There is an oral family history that the family all moved to Knoxville together in 1925 after Emmert's wife Ruby died. However, Nannie was not listed in the city directory in 1926. Instead her son Emmert was listed in the 1926 city directory as living with his cousin Frank Bryan, and her daughter Edna was listed in the 1926 city directory as a student at the University of Tennessee. Her daughter Bill would not have been listed in the city directory yet because she was too young, nor would have Emmert's children Jack and Lena been listed in the city directory. It seems likely that Nannie and the rest of the family was still living in Jefferson County in 1925 and that they moved to Knoxville in 1926. Beginning in 1927 and for several years thereafter, Nannie, Emmert, and Edna were all listed in the city directory as living together on Morelia Avenue in Knoxville. 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. Therefore, the dates in the city directory all make sense provided we treat them as being one year in arrears and provided Emmert and Edna moved to Knoxville in 1925 and that the rest of the family moved to Knoxville in 1926.19 |
| 1927 City Directory | 1927; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Nannie V wid Wm H r 306 E Morelia av.20 |
| 1928 City Directory | 1928; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Nannie V wid Wm H r 306 E Morelia av.21 |
| 1929 City Directory | 1929; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Nannie H wid Wm H r 306 E Morelia av.22 |
| 1930 City Directory | 1930; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Nannie H wid Wm H r 300 E Morelia av.23 |
| 1930 Census | ![]() Head of household Enumeration District 47-44, Ward 17, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee, 7 Apr 1930 page 245a, 300 Morelia Avenue, family number 72, dwelling number 75 Bryan Nannie V. 54 head female widow married at 22 white, born TN, father born VA, mother born NC Edna O. 22, daughter, female, single, white, folder, knitting mill, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN Willie 19, daughter, female, single, white, collareate, knitting mill, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN Harrison Jake 24, boarder, male, single, white, shipping clerk, storage co., born TN, father born TN, mother born TN Moore Ester H. 26, boarder, male, single, white, cabinet maker, mfg. co., born TN, father born TN, mother born TN. ----- Both boarders were Nannie's nephews. Jacob William (Jake) Harrison was the son of Nannie's brother John David Harrison. Ester Harrison Moore was the son of Nannie's sister Harriet Sophronia (Hattie) Harrison.24 |
| 1931 City Directory | 1931; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Nancy V wid Wm H r 300 E Morelia av.25 |
| 1932 City Directory | 1932; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Nannie H wid W Harley r 300 E Morelia av.26 |
| 1933 City Directory | 1933; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Nancy V wid Wm H r 515 Grainger av.27 |
| 1934 City Directory | 1934; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Nannie V wid Wm H r 515 Grainger av.28 |
| 1935 City Directory | 1935; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Nancy H wid W Harley r 117 Copeland. ----- Nannie was living with her daughter Willie (Bill) Bryan and Bill's husband Frank Kyle. The house on Copeland Avenue is still there, but the houses have been renumbered and the address is no longer 117.29 |
| Missing from City Directory | Between 1936 and 1937; Knoxville, Tennessee. The expectation is that she was living in 1936 and 1937 with her daughter Willie (Bill) Bryan and Bill's husband Frank Kyle on Copeland Avenue. It is not known if she was missed by the city directory enumerators, or if she was living back out in the country in 1936 and 1937. If she was living back out in the country, she probably would have been living with her daughter Ethel Bryan and Ethel's husband Elmer Cox.30,31,32 |
| 1938 City Directory | 1938; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Nannie H wid W Harley r 117 Copeland. ----- Nannie was living with her daughter Willie (Bill) Bryan and Bill's husband Frank Kyle. The house on Copeland Avenue is still there, but the houses have been renumbered and the address is no longer 117.33 |
| Death | 11 July 1938; Strawberry Plains, Knox County, Tennessee, age 62. She died at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Ethel and Elmer Cox. At the time, the Cox residence was at the the intersection of Midway Road and Will Merritt Road. The Coxes were busy canning beans, and Nannie was visiting and helping them with the canning. As the story goes, a number of family members were there to help with the beans. Nannie suffered a stroke while working in the kitchen. She died two days later.5,2,34 |
| Death Record | ![]() 1. Place of death - Dist. 15, Knox County 2. Full name - Mrs. Nancy Bryan, Route 1, Straw Plains 3. Sex - F 4. Race - W 5. Status - Widow 5a. Widow of - W.H. Bryan 6. Date of Birth - Apr 14, 1876 7. Age - 62 yrs, 2 mos., 27 ds. 8. Occupation - Housekeeper 12. Birthplace - Tennessee 13. Father - Joseph Harrison 14. Father born - Virginia 15. Mother - Susan Slaton 16. Mother born - North Carolina 17. Informant - Mrs. W.F. Kyle, 117 Copeland Ave., Knoxville 18. Buried - July 12, 1928, Drinnen 19. Undertaker - K. Rawlings & Co., Sevierville, Tenn. 20. Filed - Aug 3, 1938 Mary G. Lee 21. Died - July 11, 1938 The informant was Willie Josephine (Bill) Bryan, daughter of Nannie Harrison.5 |
| Obituary | Knoxville Journal [Knoxville, Tennessee], 12 July 1938, page 7. Mrs. W. H. Bryan, 62, died yesterday at 1 p. m. at her home, 117 Copeland avenue. Funeral services will be held today at 2:30 p. m. at Oak Grove. Burial in Drinnen Cemetery. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Elmer Cox, Strawberry Plains, Mrs. L. H. Williams, Byron, Ill., and Mrs. W. F. Kyle, Knoxville; one son, E. O. Bryan, Knoxville; seven grandchildren five brothers, John and W. A. Harrison Dandridge, T. S. Harrison, Rogersville, Dan Harrison, Morristown, and P. G. Harrison, Knoxville; and two sisters, Mrs. John Solomon, Dandridge, and Mrs. J. R. Moore, Byington. ----- Her obituary states incorrectly that she died at her own residence on Copeland Avenue in Knoxville. She lived there with her daughter Bill Kyle and Bill's husband Frank Kyle. The address of Route 1, Straw Plains listed on the death certificate is correct. She was canning beans at the home of her daughter Ethel Cox and Ethel's husband Elmer Cox in Strawberry Plains where she had a stroke and later died.34 |
| Burial | 12 July 1938; Bryan-Drinnen-Cate Cemetery, Kodak, Sevier County, Tennessee.5,34 |
| Burial Inscription | ![]() |
| Burial GPS | ![]() |

| Father* | William Harley (Harley) Bryan (born 12 February 1876, died 15 December 1915) |
| Mother* | Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison (born 14 April 1876, died 11 July 1938) |
| Daughter* | Clara Kathleen (Kathleen) Cox+ (born 26 October 1920, died 4 March 2006) |
| Name Sources | Lydia Ethel (Ethel) Bryan.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 |
| Birth | 25 February 1902; Jefferson County, Tennessee. The Bryan family farm was in Sevier County, but her application for a Social Security Number lists her place of birth as Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee. It seems extremely unlikely that she was actually born in the city of Dandridge. It seems much more likely that she was born at the home of her maternal grandparents Joseph Harrison and Susan A. Slaton. The Harrison farm was in Jefferson County out in the country and likely it had a Dandridge postal address with a rural route number.1,2,5,14 |
| Parents | William Harley (Harley) Bryan and Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison.14 |
| Names | She was usually known as Ethel, and she was called Aunt Ethel by her nieces and nephews. But she was sometimes called Lyddie.15 |
| 1910 Census | ![]() Household of her father William Harley (Harley) Bryan Enumeration District 142, Dist. 8, Sevier County, Tennessee, 4 May 1910 page 123a, dwelling number 200, family number 201 Ethel L. 8, daughter, female, single, white, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN.3 |
| Marriage | 10 August 1919; Lydia Ethel (Ethel) Bryan age 17 and Robert Elmer (Elmer) Cox age 18; Jefferson County, Tennessee. Marriage bond: License 273, State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. Know all Men, That we, Elmer Cox & Claude Rimmer, 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, firmly by these presents. The condition of the above obligation is such, That whereas, Elmer Cox, age 20, hath prayed and obtained a License to marry Ethel Bryan, age 18. Now, if there shall no hereafter appear any lawful cause why the said Elmer Cox and Ethel Bryan 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 the 9 day of Aug,1919. (signed) Elmer Cox, Claude (x) Rimmer. Marriage Oath: State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. Personally appeared before me, C. S. Rainwater,Clerk of the County Court of said County, Claude Rimmer who made oath in due form that Elmer Cox and Ethel Bryan are known to him and they are each over 18 years of age. (signed) Claude (x) Rimmer. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9 da of Aug, 1919. (signed) C.S. Rainwater. Marriage License: State of Tennessee, Jefferson County. To any regular Minister of the Gospel having Care of Souls, Jewish Rabbi or 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 Elmer Bryan (sic) and Ethel Bryan 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 purposes aforesaid, more than though the same had never been prayed or granted, etc. Given at the Clerk's office of said County, this 9 day of August, 1919. C. S. Rainwater, County Court Clerk. Marriage license return: I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the within parties on the 10 day of Aug, 1919. G. A. Bettis, J.P. Marriage narrative: The bondsman Claude Eugene Rimmer was Elmer's brother-in-law, being the husband of Elmer's sister Lelia Pearl Cox. Ethel was actually 6 months short of her 18th birthday when she was married. Ethel and Elmer married secretly. Their plan was to continue to live with their respective parents, and to get together secretly whenever they could. However, both families quickly figured it out. The families gave the newlyweds the equivalent of a wedding shower, gifting them with a few dishes, pots and pans, a table and chairs, and a few chickens. At that point, they road off together in Elmer's horse and wagon and set up a household together.1,16 |
| 1920 Census | ![]() Household of her husband Robert Elmer (Robert) Cox Dist. 6, Enumeration District 74, Strawberry Plains Village, 7th - 8th - 9th Jan 1920 page 120a, River Bend Road, dwelling number 22, family number 22 Ethel 17, wife, female, married, white, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN.17 |
| Birth of Child | 26 October 1920, Clara Kathleen (Kathleen) Cox, Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee, age of mother: 18. |
| 1930 Census | 1930, Knox County, Tennessee. Household of her husband Robert Elmer (Elmer) Cox Dist. 15, Enumeration District 47-94, 16 Apr 1930 page 257b, Grant Road, dwelling number 184, family number 187 Ethel 28, wife, female, first married at 17 white, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN.18 |
| 1940 Census | 1940, Knox County, Tennessee. Household of her husband Robert Elmer (Elmer) Cox L. Ethel 38, wife, female, married, white, 8 years school, born TN, lived 1935 same house.4 |
| SSNApp | 24 March 1942. Application for Social Security Account Number 1. Name - Lydia Ethel Cox 2. Address - R 7, D#8, Knoxville, Tenn 3. Maiden name - Lydia Ethel Bryan 4. Age - 40 5. Date of birth - Feb 25, 1902 6. Place of birth - Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tenn. 7. Father - William Harley Bryan 8. Mother - Nancy Virginia Harrison 9. Sex - female 10. Race - white 11. Have you ever before applied for Social Security Account Number - no 12. Employer - unemployed 13. Date - 3/24/42 14. Signature - Ethel Cox.14 |
| Death | 19 June 1994; Brakebill Nursing Home, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, age 92.2,9 |
| Obituary | ![]() Cox, Lydia Ethel (Polly) -- age 92, of Thorngrove community, passed away Sunday morning at Brakebill Nursing Home. Member of Huckleberry Springs United Methodist Church. Preceded in death by husband, Robert Elmer Cox. Survivors: Daughter, Kathleen Black of Knoxville; grandson and wife, John and Patricia Black of Gatlinburg; great grandchildren, Eric Black and wife, Michelle of Boulder, Colorado, Rachel Black of Knoxville; great, great, grandson, Ian Anthony Black of Colorado. Funeral service 2 p.m. Thursday, Huckleberry Springs United Methodist Church, Rev. Janice Cate, Rev. Priscilla A. Bryan officiating. Interment Mt. Zion Cemetery, Dandridge. Nephews will be pallbearers. The body will lie in state one hour before the service. Donations may be made to Huckleberry Springs United Methodist Church or Mt. Zion Cemetery Fund. The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at Mynatt's.9 |
| Burial | 23 June 1994; Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery, Jefferson County, Tennessee. The cemetery is also known as Schrader's Chapel and as Goose Creek.2,9 |
| Burial Inscription | ![]() |
| Father* | William Harley (Harley) Bryan (born 12 February 1876, died 15 December 1915) |
| Mother* | Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison (born 14 April 1876, died 11 July 1938) |
| Daughter* | Longina June Williams (born 30 June 1933, died 1 July 1933) |
| Daughter* | Shirley Ann Williams (born 7 April 1935, died 3 December 2015) |
| Son* | Glenn Edward Williams+ (born 30 January 1937, died 4 April 1980) |
| Name Sources | Edna Omage Bryan.1,2,3 |
| Birth | ![]() District 8 was more or less the same area now identified as Kodak, Tennessee. Mostly likely, she was born in the Harley Bryan family home on Bryan Road and Bryan Road is in Kodak. The Harley Bryan family lived in a tenant house on the farm of Harley's father Will Bryan. Another possibility would have been that she was born in the Will Bryan house.4,1,3 |
| Parents | William Harley (Harley) Bryan and Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison.4 |
| Birth Record | ![]() |
| 1910 Census | ![]() Household of her father William Harley (Harley) Bryan Enumeration District 142, Dist. 8, Sevier County, Tennessee, 4 May 1910 page 123a, dwelling number 200, family number 201 Edna O. 1 4/12, daughter, female, single, white, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN.5 |
| 1920 Census | ![]() Household of her mother Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison. Enumeration District 64, Dist. 1, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 14-15 Jan 1920, enumerated by Herbert F. Bible page 12a, Jefferson City Pike, dwelling number 217, family number 218, owned the house, free of mortgage Edna 11, daughter, female, single, white, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN, can R/W, attended school.6 |
| 1927 City Directory | 1927; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Edna O Miss r 306 E Morelia av.7 |
| 1928 City Directory | 1928; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Edna O Miss r 306 E Morelia av.8 |
| 1929 City Directory | 1929; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Edna O Miss r 306 E Morelia av.9 |
| 1930 City Directory | 1930; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Edna O Miss r 300 E Morelia av.10 |
| 1930 Census | ![]() Household of her mother Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison Bryan Enumeration District 47-44, Ward 17, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee, 7 Apr 1930 page 245a, 300 Morelia Avenue, family number 72, dwelling number 75 Edna O. 22, daughter, female, single, white, folder, knitting mill, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN.11 |
| 1931 City Directory | 1931; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Edna O Miss r 300 E Morelia av.12 |
| 1932 City Directory | 1932; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Edna O Miss r 300 E Morelia av.13 |
| Marriage | 23 April 1932; Edna Omage Bryan age 23 and Lon Harrison Williams age 24; Knox County, Tennessee. State of Tennessee, Knox County, application #1352. We hereby make application for a Marriage License for Lon Williams, Age - 24, Address - Oregon, Ill, and Edna Bryan, Age - 23, Address - 300 Morelia Ave City, Parents/Guardian - Nannie Bryan, Address - 300 Morelia. I solemnly swear that the statements made in the foregoing application are true. (signed) Lon Williams, Edna Bryan. 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 Lon Williams and Edna Bryan. Witness our hands and seals, the 23 day of April 1932. (signed) Lon Williams, Edna Bryan, Address Ill. Date of Marriage: Apr. 23, 1932, by J. K. Haynes, 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, 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 Lon Williams of Ill and Edna Bryan of Knoxville. Given at office in Knoxville, the 23 day of April 1932 and of American Independence, 156. (signed) L.M. Kennedy, clerk. by W. H. Hall, Deputy Clerk. No. 1352. Marriage License. Lon Williams to Edna Bryan, 1932. Leslie M. Kennedy, Clerk. I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above parties on the 23 day of April, 1932. J. K. Haynes, Minister. They lived in Illinois from shortly after they were married until about April, 1949 when they returned to Tennessee. They lived about 14 miles from Rockford, Illinois and about 2 miles from Byron, Illinois. All their children were born in Illinois.14,2,15,16,17,18 |
| Birth of Child | 30 June 1933, Longina June Williams, Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, age of mother: 24. |
| Birth of Child | 7 April 1935, Shirley Ann Williams, Ogle County, Illinois, age of mother: 26. |
| Birth of Child | 30 January 1937, Glenn Edward Williams, Illinois, age of mother: 28. |
| 1940 Census | 1940, Ogle County, Illinois. Household of her husband Lon Harrison Williams Edna 31, wife, female, married, white, housewife 8 years school, born TN, 1935 in same house.14 |
| Death | 19 January 1989; St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, age 80.1,18,3 |
| Obituary | ![]() Williams, Mrs. Edna O. - age 80, of Knoxville, passed away Thursday morning at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center. She was of the Methodist faith. Active member of Holston Hills Country Club. Preceded in death by husband, Lon H. Williams, and son, Glenn E. Williams. Survivors son, David A. Williams, Knoxville; daughter, Shirley A. Traughber, Asheville, N.C.; grandchildren, Kim (sic, should be Tim) and Randy Williams, Jeff and Todd Traughber, Angela Conner, Melody Traughber (sic, should be Sharp); sister, Ethel Cox, Knoxville. Funeral service 12 noon Saturday, Rose Broadway Chapel, Rev. David Lawrence officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Dandridge. The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Friday at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.18 |
| Burial | 21 January 1989; Hillcrest Cemetery, Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee.18 |
| Father* | William Harley (Harley) Bryan (born 12 February 1876, died 15 December 1915) |
| Mother* | Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison (born 14 April 1876, died 11 July 1938) |
| Son* | Ronald Eugene (Ronnie) Kyle (born 12 March 1945, died 11 September 2019) |
| Daughter* | Lydia Sue (Sue) Kyle (born 1 March 1949, died 9 December 1991) |
| Name Sources | Willie Josephine (Bill) Bryan.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 |
| Birth | ![]() |
| Parents | William Harley (Harley) Bryan and Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison.13 |
| Birth Record | ![]() |
| 1920 Census | ![]() Household of her mother Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison. Enumeration District 64, Dist. 1, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 14-15 Jan 1920, enumerated by Herbert F. Bible page 12a, Jefferson City Pike, dwelling number 217, family number 218, owned the house, free of mortgage Willie 9, daughter, female, single, white, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN, can R/W, attended school.14 |
| 1928 City Directory | 1928; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Willie J Miss r 306 E Morelia av.15 |
| 1929 City Directory | 1929; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Willie J Miss r 306 E Morelia av.16 |
| 1930 City Directory | 1930; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Willie J Miss r 300 E Morella av.17 |
| 1930 Census | ![]() Household of her mother Nancy Virginia (Nannie) Harrison Bryan Enumeration District 47-44, Ward 17, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee, 7 Apr 1930 page 245a, 300 Morelia Avenue, family number 72, dwelling number 75 Willie 19, daughter, female, single, white, collareate, knitting mill, born TN, father born TN, mother born TN.18 |
| 1931 City Directory | 1931; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Willie J Miss r 300 E Morelia av.19 |
| 1932 City Directory | 1932; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Willie J Miss r 300 E Morelia av.20 |
| 1933 City Directory | 1933; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Willie J Miss r 515 Grainger av.21 |
| Marriage | 26 September 1933; Willie Josephine (Bill) Bryan age 23 and William Francis (Frank) Kyle age 30; Jefferson County, Tennessee. State of Tennessee, Jefferson County, application 459. Frank Kyle and Willie Josephine Bryan. To C. S. Rainwater, Clerk of the County Court of Jefferson County, Tennessee. Frank Kyle, age 30, Knoxville and Willie Josephine Bryan, age 22, Knoxville. The undersigned Frank Kyle; Willie Josephine Bryan being duly sworn, makes oath that the statements made in the foregoing applications are true, and that ____ sign(s) and makes oath hereto and for as an application for a marriage license as above set out (signed) Frank Kyle, (signed) Moore Underwood. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 23 day of Sept, 1933. C. S. Rainwater, Clerk. I solemnized the Rite of Matrimony between the above-named parties on the 26 day of Sept, 1933. License returned the 30 day of Sept, 1933. Harry Vance, J.P.1,3,4,6,8,9,10,12 |
| 1934 City Directory | 1934; Knoxville, Tennessee. Bryan Willie J Miss r 515 Grainger av.22 |
| 1940 Census | 1940, Knox County, Tennessee. Household of her husband William Francis (Frank) Kyle Willie J. 40, wife, female, married, white, machine operator knitting mill, 8 years school, born TN, lived 1935 same house, $624 income.3 |
| Birth of Child | 12 March 1945, Ronald Eugene (Ronnie) Kyle, [Knoxville], [Knox County], [Tennessee], age of mother: 34.23 |
| Birth of Child | 1 March 1949, Lydia Sue (Sue) Kyle, [Knoxville], [Knox County], [Tennessee], age of mother: 38. |
| Death | 2 February 1987; at her home, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, age 76.5,10 |
| Burial | 7 February 1987; Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. Grave marker: Willie J. Kyle, 1910 - 1987. GPS: 36.030819,-83.916041.2,10 |
| Obituary | Knoxville News-Sentinel [Knoxville, Tennessee], 13 Feb 1987. Kyle, Mrs. Willie Josephine -- age 76, of Knoxville, widow of Frank Kyle, passed away Wednesday evening at her home after a long illness. Member of Washington Pike United Methodist Church. Survivors: daughter, Sue Kyle; son, Ronald Kyle; grandson, Christopher Kyle; sisters, Mrs. Edna Williams, Mrs. Ethel Cox, all of Knoxville. Funeral service 11 a.m. Saturday, Mynatt Chapel, Rev. Harold Ray, Reverend Charles Salmom officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers: Chris Lusk, Joe McTeer, Kenneth Seymour, David Bollinger, R.B. Thompson, Ed Whitaker. The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Friday at Mynatt's. |