SAMPLE STORIES

Use these articles to guide you in preparing your own stories!

FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS

500 words, and one photo FREE! Additional words @ 10¢, additional photos @ $10.00. Each word counts as one word (including a, and, it, for, and by). The previous sentence contains 13 words. The only exception to the count each word rule is abbreviations: up to and including 4 letters/ numbers or less = 1 word. 5 letters/numbers or more = 2 words (punctuation does not affect this).

THE WILLIAM MATTHEW SPARKS FAMILY

William Matthew Sparks resided and was born in Putnam County, TN. He lived with his first wife in Monterey, TN, with an eventual move to Nashville, TN, where he later remarried. The Sparks lived on Mill Creek Ridge off of Highway 70 going to Monterey Tennessee, Putnam County. William Matthew Sparks was married to Nancy Pinter Short. Nancy Short was from Putnam County, also residing in Monterey, TN until her death. William and Nancy had 2 daughters, Maude and Minnie Sparks. Nancy also had a son named Lee Brewington out of wedlock or previous marriage. William’s father’s name was Solomon Sparks and his mother’s name was Sarah (Sloane) Sparks, also from Putnam County. Nancy Short’s father was James Short and her mother’s name was Beshebalender (Elenor) (Eleanor) Short. Nancy resided and died with James Short in Putnam County with Nancy’s death as/about 1900.

William Matthew Sparks remarried after Nancy’s death, 1 year later, to Alberta Brown from Putnam County, and later moved to Davidson County, Nashville, TN. William Mathew was born 1858 - died 1927. William and Nancy Pinter Sparks, (same Nancy Short) had 2 children, 5 grandchildren, 12 greatgrandchildren, and 28 great-great grandchildren.

Minnie (Sparks) Parman died in 1970’s in Baxter, TN, buried in Arrington, TN, and Maude (Sparks) Miller possible last name White, died in Georgia and buried. Minnie (Sparks) was married several times and her last names were; Minnie Sparks Parman, Minnie Sparks Bush,

Minnie Sparks Haralson, but had all of her children with Charles Parman better known as Charlie and resided in the Nashville, Davidson, area with some time spent in Greene County, East TN. Minnie had 5 children, all currently deceased.

Due to the destruction of the census, Nancy Short Sparks cannot be located for the exact death year or birth year. In the picture attached, starting from left to right is: (Note: Genealogical charts and tabular material cannot be accepted. Stories must be in flowing, narrative form.)

Sitting in a lap (Charles Edwin Parman, Jr.), William Matthew Sparks, girl standing behind William is unknown, child sitting in lap is Frances Lucille Parman, woman holding Frances is Minnie Sparks Parman, man sitting next to her is Charles Parman, Sr. (husband/father), and girl standing up at end of picture is Sarah Virgil Parman. During this time, William was residing with his daughter Minnie in Davidson County.

I have gathered much more information than can possibly be written in 500 words, and I am more than willing to share any further information and details of this part of the Sparks’ family tree should anyone need more. My name is Betty Jenene Richardson Council, I currently reside in Arrington, TN. I can be reached via email at nanny0121@bellsouth.net. I have been involved in my search since 1986 beginning in Putnam County when I resided there. I continuously search for any information on Nancy Short as it has become a mystery who were her relatives, sisters, brothers, etc. (473 words) Submitted by Betty Council.

LLOYD WASHINGTON NABORS

Lloyd and Betty Nabors Stark

Lloyd and Betty Nabors have nine children: 1) Donna Rose b 14 July 1947, married Terry Rice 27 November 2004; 2) Bertha June b 27 March 1950, married Kevin Plassman 25 February 1980; 3) Deborah Kay b 8 December 1951, married Jack Robert Barlow III; 4) Gary Lynn b 28 May 1955; 5) Connie Mae b 12 August 1957, married Kenneth Stokley, 7 November 1992; 6) Robert Duane b 7 July 1959, married Nadine Tittman Smith, 14 August 1993; 7) Judy Lynn b 22 June 1962, married Dennis Michael Switzer, 28 September 1986; 8) Betty “Crickett” Diane b 24 August 1963; 9) David James b 29 October 1965, married Jodie Cravins, 14 May 1988.

Lloyd and Betty have 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. (193 words) Submitted by Betty Viola Stewart-Nabors-Stark.

MILITARY STORIES

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CPL. CHAS. D. WHITHEAD

These are my parents, Chas. Dorman Whitehead (05/26/1932) and Menervia Elizabeth Howard Whitehead (12/14/1932). My father was in the Korean War. He was stationed in different sates. He also went to the Marshall Islands. Daddy came back as a corporal. He didn’t see any action, but still needs the recognition of coming home with a Honorable Discharge.

Chas. Dorman and Menervia Elizabeth Howard Whitehead

My parents have 4 daughters, 5 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren. My daddy was born on the Robinson Ridge in western Putnam County to Estel Whitehead and Florence Della Elrod Whitehead. He also lived as a youth in the Buffalo Valley - Martin’s Creek area. (99 words) Submitted by Deborah R. Whitehead Jones.

CHURCHES and CLUBS

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THE JUDD CHURCH

The Judd Church, has been a Methodist Church, Church of God, a Lighthouse of the Apostolic, to name a few. The church was founded by the Rev. Nathan Jackson Judd, Sr. 1809 - 1885 and his wife was Rebecca Grime 1813 - 1890. They are buried in the Judd Churchyard Cemetery. Rev. Nathan Jackson Judd was a circuit Methodist preacher, also had a tanning business, he was “a mighty man of prayer” and “a gifted singer”. (73 words) (Note: if you have any information about the Judd Church, please contact the Book Committee)

The Judd Church (photo by Betty Stark)