yesterday's tennessee

PARSONS FAMILY

from the research of David Donahue, published September 5, 1998

This family history is taken from the original research of David Donahue. David's original text document has been converted to this web page format for ease of viewing and navigating. Click here to go to David Donahue's original text document on the PARSONS FAMILY .

During his life time, David researched the history of several Decatur and Henderson County families. His research provides important basic research on the history of families that now live or have lived in these two counties. Like all research, it is not perfect and is known to contain both errors and omissions. By policy, David's original research will not be updated to correct these errors but will be maintained in the state left by David. However, we are happy to publish the family research of any families connected with Decatur or Henderson County. We will also publish comments as notes to David's research. Please email me your comments and/or family research that you would like posted to this web site to Jerry L. Butler at jlb30504@gmail.com.

1. [1] Parsons Ancestor.

   He married an unknown woman. Children:

   1. John[2] Parsons.
   2. George Parsons. Born, circa 1808. Resided in Shelbyville, Bedford Co., TN.
   3. William (Billy) Parsons.
2. John[2] Parsons (Ancestor, 1). Born, circa 1806. Occupation: Physician.

   He married Sarah (Sally) Ingram, daughter of Garland Ingram and Johanna Mays. Born, 31 Mar 1801, in VA. Children:

   1. Margaret[3] Parsons.

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3. William (Billy)[2] Parsons (Ancestor, 1). Born, circa 1810.

   He married an unknown woman. Children:

   1. Sam[3] Parsons.
4. Margaret[3] Parsons (John, 2). Died, 18 Jan 1858. Burial in Water Tank Hill, Parsons, Decatur Co., TN.

   She married Paul H. Fisher, son of William F. Fisher and Anthony (Ann), 26 Dec 1852. Born, 30 Mar 1822, in TN. Died, 26 Feb 1885. Burial in Fisher Cem., Mt. Lebanon Com., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1870, in Decatur Co., TN. Occupation: Farmer. Children:

   1. Thomas D.[4] Fisher. Born, 27 Jul 1854. Died, 22 Nov 1854.
   2. Florence Cada Fisher.
5. Sam[3] Parsons (William (Billy), 3). Born, circa 1836.

   He married Levira Ingram, daughter of Larkin Ingram and Mary Ann Irvin. Born, 12 Nov 1835. Died, 12 Nov 1905. Burial in McCall Cem., Henderson Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Henderson Co., TN. Children:

   1. Green V.[4] Parsons. Born, 5 Apr 1858. Died, 25 Sep 1905. Burial in McCall Cem., Henderson Co., TN.
   2. John Walker Parsons.
   3. James Franklin Parsons.
6. Florence Cada[4] Fisher. Born, 15 Nov 1857. Died, 6 Mar 1937. Burial in City Cem., Decaturville, Decatur Co., TN.

   She married James F. Taylor. Children:

   1. William Rupert[5] Taylor.
   2. Margaret C. Taylor.
7. John Walker[4] Parsons (Sam, 5). Born, 5 Jun 1861. Died, 26 Jan 1940. Burial in N. Canaan Cem., Dunklin Co., MO.

   He married Roxie/Rosey Jackson, daughter of James Holden Jackson and Elender (Ellen) J. (Elizabeth) Reed. Born, 15 Jul 1868, in Henderson Co., TN. Died, 18 Aug 1940, in MO. Burial in N. Canaan Cem., Dunklin Co., MO. Census: 1880, in Henderson Co., TN. Children:

   1. Maggie[5] Parsons.
   2. Edvard V. Parsons. Born, 9 Mar 1890, in Henderson Co., TN. Died, 5 Dec 1931. Burial in Hollywood Cem., Jackson, Madison Co., TN. He married Choline Mooney.
   3. Virdie L. Parsons. Born, 10 Jan 1893, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 20 Mar 1922. Burial in Stanfield Cem., Dunklin Co., MO. She married Arthur T. Sales.
   4. Hallie J. Parsons. Born, 5 May 1895, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 1 Jan 1964. Burial in Memorial Gard., Kennett, Dunklin Co., MO. She married Thomas Murphy, 1917, in Dunklin Co., MO.
   5. Tina E. Parsons. Born, 1 Apr 1898, in Henderson Co., TN. Died, 1 May 1919, in Gibson, MO. Burial in N. Canaan Cem., Dunklin Co., MO.
   6. Lynn Elbert Parsons. Born, 7 Nov 1900, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 27 Feb 1976. Burial in N. Canaan Cem., Dunklin Co., MO.
   7. Cary Barnis Parsons. Born, 28 Dec 1902. Died, 1 Jul 1904. Burial in Union Church, Henderson Co., TN.
   8. Troy Van Parsons. Born, 29 Mar 1904, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 27 Dec 1980. Burial in N. Canaan Cem., Dunklin Co., MO. He married Rosie Lee Bird, 2 Jul 1927, in Piggott, Clay Co., AR.
   9. Nannie N. Parsons. Born, 1 Jan 1907, in Henderson Co., TN. Died, 8 Jan 1919. Burial in N. Canaan Cem., Dunklin Co., MO.
   10. Connie Walker Parsons. Born, 23 Jan 1911, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 3 Mar 1950. Burial in N. Canaan Cem., Dunklin Co., MO. He married Cora Esthes Starnes.

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8. James Franklin[4] Parsons (Sam, 5). Born, 1863. Died, 1961, in Scotts Hill, TN. Burial in Crowell Chapel, Henderson Co., TN. Occupation: Farmer.

   He married Eliza Medora Welch, daughter of Jeremiah Benton (Jerry) Welch and Frances Emiline Jackson, 23 Jan 1887, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 1858. Died, 1930. Burial in Crowell Chapel, Henderson Co., TN. Census: 1870, in Decatur Co., TN. Children:

   1. Ivy[5] Parsons. Born, 18 Sep 1887. Died, before 1890. Burial in Campground Cem., Decatur Co., TN.
   2. Eula Parsons.
   3. Lovie Magnolia Parsons.
   4. Hettie Mae Parsons. Born, 10 Feb 1892. Died, 8 Nov 1991. Burial in Campground Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Resided: 1961, in Decaturville, Decatur Co., TN. She married Thomas Edgar Hobbs, son of J. Riley Hobbs and Susie E. Rushing, 14 Sep 1913, in Decatur Co., TN.
   5. Clifford Parsons.
   6. Clarence Parsons.
9. William Rupert[5] Taylor. Born, 23 Aug 1879, in Henderson Co., TN. Died, 29 Dec 1957. Burial in City Cem., Decaturville, Decatur Co., TN. Occupation: Farmer/Merchant. William Rupert "was a retired farmer and a partner in the Decaturville Lumber Company for 17 years. He was an active member of the Methodist Church and served on the board of stewards. Mr. Taylor was a member of the Board of directors of the Decatur County Bank." [obituary, Parsons News Leader, 3 Jan 1958]

   He married Clara Elma Malone, daughter of Tony L. Malone and Rebecca Ann Lasiter, 1 Jan 1905, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 21 Feb 1882. Died, 28 May 1966. Burial in City Cem., Decaturville, Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1900, in Decatur Co., TN. Children:

   1. Kate Louise[6] Taylor.
10. Maggie[5] Parsons (John Walker, 7). Born, 15 Jan 1887. Died, 1918. Burial in Union Church, Henderson Co., TN.

    She married John Ament. Born, 1887. Died, 1962. Children:

    1. Rex D.[6] Ament. Born, 1 Sep 1906. Died, 12 Sep 1968. Burial in Union Church, Henderson Co., TN.
    2. Minnie Ament. Born, 23 Oct 1910. Died, 8 Dec 1931. Burial in Rock Hill Cem., Henderson Co., TN. She married Unknown Deere.
    3. Lorene Ament. Born, 1914. She married Louis Blankenship.
    4. Francis Pauline (Polly) Ament. Born, 1916. Died, 1974. Burial in Union Church, Henderson Co., TN. She married Unknown Pirtle.

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11. Eula[5] Parsons (James Franklin, 8). Born, 5 Feb 1889. Died, 27 Feb 1949. Burial in Campground Cem., Decatur Co., TN.

    She married John W. Myracle, son of Harvey Washington (Wash) Myracle and Sarah Catherine Keeton, 19 Jul 1908, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 10 Dec 1887, in Decatur Co., TN. Died, 13 Jan 1980, in Parsons, Decatur Co., TN. Burial in Campground Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1900, in Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1920, in Decatur Co., TN. Occupation: Farmer. "John W. Myracle served in the Army during World War I. "He entered service November 20, 1917 and was discharged November 21, 1918." ["Paths to Freedom," Parsons News Leader, 3 July 1991, p. 2] He was a member of Campground Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Children:

    1. John Alvin[6] Myracle.
    2. Infant Son Myracle. Born, 1910. Died, 1910. Burial in Campground Cem., Decatur Co., TN.
12. Lovie Magnolia[5] Parsons (James Franklin, 8). Born, 1891. Died, 1973. Burial in Crowell Chapel, Henderson Co., TN. Resided: 1961, in Parsons, Decatur Co., TN.

    She married William T. Robins, son of Joseph A. Robins and Nancy J. Born, 1895. Died, 1947. Burial in Crowell Chapel, Henderson Co., TN. Children:

    1. Edith Valera[6] Robbins.
    2. James William Robbins.
13. Clifford[5] Parsons (James Franklin, 8). Born, 10 Feb 1892. Died, 1984. Burial in Crowell Chapel, Henderson Co., TN. Resided: 1961, in Scotts Hill, TN.

    He married Cora Myrtle White, daughter of John Henry White and Unknown, 9 Aug 1914, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 1893. Died, before 1991. Burial in Crowell Chapel, Henderson Co., TN. Resided: 1952, in Lexington, Henderson Co., TN. Children:

    1. Joseph Max[6] Parsons. Born, 1915. He married Martha Elizabeth (Betty) Davis.
    2. Juanita Parsons.
14. Clarence[5] Parsons (James Franklin, 8). Born, 1895. Died, 1963. Burial in Concord Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Resided: 1961, in Parsons, Decatur Co., TN.

    He married Mattie A. White, daughter of Mills A. White and Francis Elizabeth (Fanny) Smith, 16 Jul 1916, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 1898. Died, 1961. Burial in Concord Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1900, in Decatur Co., TN. Children:

    1. Fannie Mae[6] Parsons. Died, 26 Sep 1926. Burial in Smith Chapel, Henderson Co., TN.
    2. Thomas Clarence Parsons.

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15. Kate Louise[6] Taylor (William Rupert, 9). Born, 13 Aug 1906. Occupation: Teacher/Bank.

    She married Grady Yateman Dixon, son of Thomas Yateman Dixon and Cynthia Belle Taylor, 18 Feb 1928, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 25 Mar 1904, in Mt. Lebanon Com., Decatur Co., TN. Died, 28 Sep 1986. Burial in City Cem., Decaturville, Decatur Co., TN. Children:

    1. Virginia Ellen[7] Dixon.
16. John Alvin[6] Myracle. Born, 29 Apr 1909. Died, 31 Aug 1989. Burial in Campground Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Resided: 1980, in Decaturville, Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1920, in Decatur Co., TN.

    He married Wynema Janie Kennedy, daughter of Eaph C. Kennedy and Alice Mae Duck, 19 Dec 1936, in Decatur Co., TN. Born, 27 Aug 1915. Resided: 1995, in Decaturville, Decatur Co., TN. Children:

    1. Robert Gaylon[7] Myracle.
    2. Freida Kay Myracle.
17. Edith Valera[6] Robbins. Born, 1914.

    She married Ray Delton Laster. Born, 1912. Died, 1968. Burial in Parsons Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Children:

    1. Royce Jerry[7] Laster.
    2. Lynda Kay Laster.
18. James William[6] Robbins. Born, 1920.

    He married Josephine Scott. Born, 1920. Children:

    1. Gloria Patricia[7] Robbins.
    2. Marcia Ann Robbins.
19. Juanita[6] Parsons (Clifford, 13). Born, 1923.

    She married Max Helms. Born, 1923. Died, before 1997. Children:

    1. Randall Max[7] Helms.
    2. Candice Juanita Helms. Born, 1950. Died, 1953.
    3. Steven Parsons Helms. Born, 1953. He married Belina Gail Azbill.
    4. Robin Lee Helms. Born, 1954. He married Pam Bartholomew.
20. Thomas Clarence[6] Parsons (Clarence, 14).

    He married Martha Estelle Long, daughter of Harry Long and Ruby Houston. Born, 14 Apr 1935. Resided: 1973, in Nashville, Davidson Co., TN. Children:

    1. Thomas Clarence[7] Parsons.
    2. Keatha Lee Parsons.

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21. Virginia Ellen[7] Dixon. Resided: 1991, in Decaturville, Decatur Co., TN.

    She married Hollis England Raney, son of Clem England Raney and Jettie Mae Pickens. Born in Decatur Co., TN. Resided: circa 1996, in Decaturville, Decatur Co., TN. Occupation: Farmer/Merchant. Children:

    1. Anne Elizabeth[8] Raney.
    2. Hugh Thomas Raney.
22. Robert Gaylon[7] Myracle (John Alvin, 16). Born, circa 1943.

    He married, first, Judy Miller. Children:

    1. Robert Gregory[8] Myracle. Born, 1968.
    2. Lesa Myracle. Born, 1970.

    He married, second, Sue Whitson.

23. Freida Kay[7] Myracle (John Alvin, 16). Born, circa 1945.

    She married, first, Leroy Witt. Children:

    1. JeJuan[8] Witt. Born, 1966.

    She married, second, Percy Potts, son of Percy Joe Potts and Mary Alice Johnson.

24. Royce Jerry[7] Laster. Born, 1933.

    He married Betty Jean Burton, daughter of Aulbra Audubon (Doc) Burton and Ruth Auda Tinker. Resided: circa 1977, in Jackson, Madison Co., TN. Children:

    1. Kimberly Jean[8] Laster. Born, 1961.
    2. Lori Paige Laster. Born, 1963.
25. Lynda Kay[7] Laster. Born, 1947.

    She married Toney Mitchell Rogers, son of Webb Rogers and Ruby. Born, 1947. Children:

    1. Ashley Robin[8] Rogers.
26. Gloria Patricia[7] Robbins (James William, 18). Born, 1943.

    She married Earl Edgin. Born, 1943. Children:

    1. Barry[8] Edgin. Born, 1961.
    2. Gary Edgin. Born, 1965.
    3. Bryan Edgin. Born, 1969.
27. Marcia Ann[7] Robbins (James William, 18). Born, 1949.

    She married Ted Phillips. Born, 1948. Children:

    1. Leah[8] Phillips. Born, 1976.
28. Randall Max[7] Helms. Born, 1947.

    He married Patricia Lou Stokley. Born, 1951. Children:

    1. Candy[8] Helms.

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29. Anne Elizabeth[8] Raney.

    She married James Marshall Smith, 12 Dec 1992, in Decatur Co., TN. Children:

    1. James Whitson[9] Smith.
30. Hugh Thomas[8] Raney.

    He married Staci Wood, 11 Jun 1983. Children:

    1. Dylan Thomas[9] Raney.
31. Ashley Robin[8] Rogers. Born, 1976.

    She married Terry Brasher, son of Ricky Allen Brasher and Cathy Joan Davis. Resided: 1996, in Parsons, Decatur Co., TN. Children:

    1. Casey Elizabeth[9] Brasher. Born, 8 Jun 1996, in Jackson, Madison Co., TN.
    2. Cassidy Laine Brasher. Born, 8 Jun 1996, in Jackson, Madison Co., TN.
32. Candy[8] Helms (Randall Max, 28). Resided: 1996, in Lexington, Henderson Co., TN.

    She married Donny Townsend, son of Donald Townsend and Wanda. Children:

    1. Trae[9] Townsend. Born, 26 Dec 1995.