I'm a resident of Nashville (since 1971), but I'm a native of Cocke County, Tenn., attended English Creek Elementary School and Cosby High School (later taught there). My parents are buried in the Bryant-Sisk Cemetery in the Lower English Creek Community.

My closest relatives carry the surnames--in addition to Bryant and Clevenger (my mother's name)--of Kyker, Finchum, Gray, Allen and Sisk. These are the names and family histories I've been researching.

I stumbled on the Find A Grave (FAG) website while searching for mailing addresses to assist my mother in compiling her 2011 Christmas card list. Soon thereafter, Mom suffered a disabling stroke. I spent the next 10 months at her bedside caring for her before she died Nov. 19, 2012. During this time, I spent many hours with my laptop researching genealogy. FAG was a great resource.

With family links and bios, FAG has become more navigable and useful in tracing family history. This has become my primary FAG interest, completing these links. When I find gaps, I try to fill them.

My primary sphere of interest is with the Cocke County family names listed above. Their descendants and relatives, however, are nationwide with concentrations in Texas and Missouri. I'm willing to share any data I have accumulated.

My greatest find has not been online, but with discovery of the long-forgotten and neglected Free-Clevenger Cemetery. Here I've found many missing links in my Clevenger lineage. And here, much to my elation, I've found the Civil War memorial stone for my Great-great-grandfather Sgt. Alex Clevenger, who was among the very few Cocke Countains to serve in the Union Army.

Years ago (1969-71), I was principal of Edgemont School in the Carson Springs Community of Cocke County where I met many Clevenger children and families. "Moose" Clevenger was basketball coach. Hulda Mae (Clevenger) Gray was cafeteria manager. I felt that we were of the same Clevenger lineage, but none of us knew how we were related. I've spent several months researching these ties. The big picture is coming together, but there are still missing links.

I invite you to begin your FAG expedition with my parents: James A. Bryant and Mary Florence (Clevenger) Bryant.
________________________
On May 7-8, 2015, I visited four cemeteries in Texas to research families (primarily Bryant, Baxter, Denton, Duncan, Lewis and McMahan) who migrated from Cocke County, Tenn. during the latter half of the 19th century. These cemeteries were Pecan Grove in McKinney, Scott in Prosper (just west of McKinney), Walnut Grove in Rhea Mills (just northwest of McKinney), all three in Collin County, and Odd Fellows in Caddo Mills (Hunt County).
________________________
As of 2016, I am in good health and look forward to living several more years. But for the record, my wish is to be cremated when my life ends with cremains deposited in the Still Spring Memorial Garden, Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 374 Hicks Road, Bellevue, Davidson County, Tenn.

I'm a resident of Nashville (since 1971), but I'm a native of Cocke County, Tenn., attended English Creek Elementary School and Cosby High School (later taught there). My parents are buried in the Bryant-Sisk Cemetery in the Lower English Creek Community.

My closest relatives carry the surnames--in addition to Bryant and Clevenger (my mother's name)--of Kyker, Finchum, Gray, Allen and Sisk. These are the names and family histories I've been researching.

I stumbled on the Find A Grave (FAG) website while searching for mailing addresses to assist my mother in compiling her 2011 Christmas card list. Soon thereafter, Mom suffered a disabling stroke. I spent the next 10 months at her bedside caring for her before she died Nov. 19, 2012. During this time, I spent many hours with my laptop researching genealogy. FAG was a great resource.

With family links and bios, FAG has become more navigable and useful in tracing family history. This has become my primary FAG interest, completing these links. When I find gaps, I try to fill them.

My primary sphere of interest is with the Cocke County family names listed above. Their descendants and relatives, however, are nationwide with concentrations in Texas and Missouri. I'm willing to share any data I have accumulated.

My greatest find has not been online, but with discovery of the long-forgotten and neglected Free-Clevenger Cemetery. Here I've found many missing links in my Clevenger lineage. And here, much to my elation, I've found the Civil War memorial stone for my Great-great-grandfather Sgt. Alex Clevenger, who was among the very few Cocke Countains to serve in the Union Army.

Years ago (1969-71), I was principal of Edgemont School in the Carson Springs Community of Cocke County where I met many Clevenger children and families. "Moose" Clevenger was basketball coach. Hulda Mae (Clevenger) Gray was cafeteria manager. I felt that we were of the same Clevenger lineage, but none of us knew how we were related. I've spent several months researching these ties. The big picture is coming together, but there are still missing links.

I invite you to begin your FAG expedition with my parents: James A. Bryant and Mary Florence (Clevenger) Bryant.
________________________
On May 7-8, 2015, I visited four cemeteries in Texas to research families (primarily Bryant, Baxter, Denton, Duncan, Lewis and McMahan) who migrated from Cocke County, Tenn. during the latter half of the 19th century. These cemeteries were Pecan Grove in McKinney, Scott in Prosper (just west of McKinney), Walnut Grove in Rhea Mills (just northwest of McKinney), all three in Collin County, and Odd Fellows in Caddo Mills (Hunt County).
________________________
As of 2016, I am in good health and look forward to living several more years. But for the record, my wish is to be cremated when my life ends with cremains deposited in the Still Spring Memorial Garden, Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 374 Hicks Road, Bellevue, Davidson County, Tenn.