A Tribute to Ruth Gentry Raley

Ruth Gentry Raley, second child of the late William M “Will” Gentry (b. June 16, 1889 - d. December 1, 1974, buried Union Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery and Nola Sharp Gentry (b. December 22, 1896 - d. December 7, 1978, buried Union Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery). Her grandparents are James and Martha DeLapp Gentry and William “Bill” Sharp and Elenora Warwick Sharp. Will and Nola were married September 15, 1918 in Union County.

Antique cars and people that have a passion for seeing them restored were at the Cruise-In at Hardee's located on highway 33 in Union County, Maynardville, TN Saturday night. Visiting some old friends and making some new acquaintances, taking a few pictures of their projects was great fun. In the following post are a few pictures I think you will enjoy. I’m planning to bring a 29 Model A Ford replica to the next Cruise-In. I’m sorry it has taken so long get these pictures on line, but I’m getting more convinced that being retired requires more time than working five or six days a week.

Every Veteran deserves being honored for their service, some paid the ultimate price, all have served granting us the privilege of living in the greatest country on earth. We are forever indebted to them for their service.

Tennesseans Who Died at the Alamo and the Union County Connection to the Bloody Event

According to a 1967 writing by Louise Davis of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, 32 Tennesseans died at the Alamo, which was the largest number of any state that participated in the Seige of the Alamo. The following is a list of those who sacrificed their life for the independence of Texas from Mexico:

Which War?

I have been told that these Union County folks served in the military at some point in our history. I have not been able to verify this information. It is also possible that some of the names may be misspelled. If any of you readers have information about the military service of any of these people, will you please call me at 865-687-3842 or email me at bhpeters@att.net. Thank you so much.

Are you looking to relocate your family or retire to a simpler way of life? Would you love to return to a place where people know their neighbors and wave to passers-by?

Look no farther than historic Union County, Tennessee, the Cradle of Country Music. Nestled in the rolling hills of East Tennessee, our scenic beauty is stunning, our people are friendly, and our cost of living is low.

Ruby Rema Rice Little, daughter of Marcellus “Sillus, Sill” and Isabel “Ibbie” Weaver Rice was born on July 23, 1907 at the home her parents had built around 1904 on Bull Run Creek just inside Knox County. Ruby’s ancestors had been on Lost Creek since 1798, and her parents had lived in Big Valley until the early 1900s. The Rice name remains familiar to many Union Countians.

The third weekend in July, Millers from all over the country will descend on Union County for another Miller Reunion. Here’s a little history about what they celebrate. For the most part the people at the reunion will be descendants of Martin Luther Miller, who was born in 1758 near Heidelberg, Germany, came to America and settled for a time in Alamance County (Orange County), North Carolina..

Dear Sammie,

From the time I can remember until your mother, Paralee, could not drive any more, we looked forward to the spring visit of the Cox family. Since I can remember, Uncle Charlie was already deeply stricken by rheumatoid arthritis and had to use double crutches to walk, so Aunt Paralee had learned to drive–years before it was common for women to drive a car.

This picture of Ed McNew was given to Bill Beeler, husband of Mossie, of Sharps Chapel on April 10, 1926. When the picture was made, Ed and Bill were attending a Fiddler’s Convention at Knoxville. Bill stayed with the McNews at Knoxville. The note says Ed’s brother, Bill McNew, had had a gall bladder attack and was operated on April 9, 1926 when 201 gall stones were removed. On April 14, 1926, Bill McNew said he was getting along alright. What about another Fiddler’s Convention–this time in Union County?