Decatur Co Tennessee
BIOGRAPHIES

"Tennessee Trails"

BRASHER BIOGRAPHIES

GEORGE WALTER BRASHER JR.
George Walter Brasher, Jr., b. 9 Jul 1912, d. 15 Jan 1978, spent his adult life in Jackson, Tennessee, where he owned and operated "Brasher's Clothing Store" at 111 North Market St. He married Verlie May Shackelford, b. 27 Jul 1914, and they had three children: 1. George Walter Brasher, III m. Martha Jane Smith and had three children: 1. Suzanne Smith Brasher 2. George Walter Brasher, IV 3. John Bradley Brasher 2. Carolyn Shackelford Brasher m. Earl C. Walker, Jr.3. Janyth Ann Brasher.
JAMES OREN BRASHER
James Oren "Jim" Brasher, b. 2 Dec 1897, d. 21 Feb 1956, son of Walter Jesse Brasher and grandson of Phillip R. Brasher, married Ruby Reeves. They had five children and numerous grandchildren: 1. Walter Jesse "W. J." Brasher,, b. 11 Sep 1921, d. 23 Sep 1940, m. Mary Ruth Cole, b. 8 May 1925. They had 4 children and several grandchildren: 1. Walter James "Nig" Brasher, b. 22 Aug 1941. m.1. Carolyn Thomas, div. 6 Feb 1974 1. Sherry Diane Brasher, b. 13 Aug 1960. died in infancy. 2. Amanda Carol Brasher, b. 23 Feb 1962, m.2. (23 Apr 1983) Bobby Lynn Davis 3. Walter Thomas Brasher, b. 3 Oct 1965 2. Nancy Sue Brasher, b. 10 Aug 1943. m. Max Ray Smart, b. 30 May 1942 lived in Nashville. 1. James Michael Smart, b. 8 Jul 1965 2. Sherry Lyman Smart, b. 11 Dec 1966 3. Amy Leigh Smart, b. 15 Apr 1970 3. Ray Cole "Mutt" Brasher, b. 18 Mar 1945, a fireman in Memphis. m. Barbara Jane Able, b. 23 Nov 1945 1. Jennifer Lynn Brasher, b. 7 Oct 1971 2. Bryce Cold Brasher, b. 6 Dec 1975 4. Edgar Frank "Duke" Brasher, b. 24 Apr 1946. m. Brenda Lee Wishun 1. Sam Duke (Huffsteller) Brasher, b. 4 Jun 1967. (Child of Brenda's first marriage; adopted. ) 2. Jameson Cole Brasher, b. 1 Sep 1970 2. Benjamin Franklin Brasher, b. 2 Feb 1924. m. Mabel Dodd, b. 16 Jul 1933 1. Suzanne Brasher b. 19 Jul 1952. m. Tommy Stevens (live in Memphis) 1. Brian T. Stevens, b. 3 Feb 1974 2. Michael Keith Stevens, b. 18 Dec 1976 2. Gary Lynn Brasher, b. 25 Feb 1955. m. and living in S.C. 3. Ralph Craig Brasher, b. 25 Dec 1927. m. Shirley C. Blackstock b. 5 May 1940 1. Ralph Dale Brasher, b. 1957. Decaturville, TN 2. Terry Craig Brasher, b. 1959 " 3. Steven Brasher, b. 1961 " 4. Bob Brasher, b. 1963 " 4. Jimmie Howard "Zee" Brasher, b. 26 Jan 1932 m. 28 Mar 1954 Carolyn Martin 1. Ronnie Brasher,, b. 9 Feb 1955, d. 16 Nov 1957, age two. 2. Linda Brasher, b. 28 Dec 1957 3. Linsey Brasher, b. 11 Aug 1959 4. Lisa Brasher, b. 25 Sep 1961 5. Lance Brasher, b. 1 Dec 1962 5. Gene Robert Brasher, b. 2 Dec 1935. m. Bettie, d. Brasher, a very distant cousin who descends from the original patriarch, Isaac Brashears, through Samuel "The Judge" Brashears, John "The Squire" Brashers, John "Elder" Brasher, and Jesse Howell Brasher. Two children: 1. Donnie Brasher, b. 6 Sep 1957, m. Joyce Middleton, b. 27 Apr 1960 1. Charity Remaire Brasher, b. 2 Nov 1980 2. Cassie Gene Brasher, b. 6 Aug 1982 2. Mike "Bubba" Brasher, b. 5 Jun 1960
JESSE W. BRASHER
JESSE W. BRASHEARS s/o Walter and Elizabeth (Roberts) Brashears 8. Jesse W. Brashears, b. 31 Mar 1834, d. 19 Nov 1892, youngest son of Walter and Elizabeth (Roberts) Brashears, and grandson of the patriarch, Isaac Brashears, married Martha B. White, b. 15 Mar 1843. Jesse and Martha are buried in Crawford Cemetery, Scotts Hills, TN. An old family Bible in the possession (1989) of Avis Faye Alexander, a granddaughter, lists eleven children, all born in Decatur County, TN: 1. Freed Dona Brashear, b. 25 Dec 1861, d. 3 Mar 1901 m. Jim Bate Edgin, (1876-1940); they had 4 or 5 children. 2. Davey B. Brashear, b. 25 Dec ? 3. David W. Brashear, b. 4 May 1864, died of T.B., not married. 4. *Joel Elias Brasher, b. 28 Dec 1866, d. 24 Feb 1951 m. Betty Russell and had children. See below. 5. Walter Brasher, b. 8 Oct 1870, never married. 6. Arrie B. Brasher, b. 8 Oct 1872, d. c1896 m. Jim Wiley. seven children. 7. *Phillip Logan Brasher, b. 20 Jan 1875, d. c1963 m. Virgie Lee Davidson and had children. See below. 8. Minnie Brasher, b. 6 Feb 1877, d. 1899 m. Phillip Volner. daughter: Monty Volner, b. 1893 9. Delia Brasher, b. 6 Apr 1879, died in teens, not married. 10. Askin Brasher, b. 31 Jul 1881, d. 27 Jul 1885 11. Betty E. Brasher, b. 13 Jun 1885, d. 24 Oct 1901 m. Charles Morgan, no children.
JOE PHILLIP BRASHER
Joe Phillip Brasher, b. 4 Jan 1891, d. 24 Jul 1956, son of Walter Jesse Brasher, and grandson of Philip R. Brasher, was a farmer, who saw service in World War II. He first married, (29 Mar 1916) Pearl Young, b. 20 Jan 1900. They had one child: 1. James Troy Brasher b. 3 Jan 1917. m. Clara Mae Kelly; no children. After this child, Pearl and Joe got a divorce. About 1935, she married Jesse Kelly. Joe married a second time: Edna Hudson, b. 8 Jul 1900, daughter of Charlie Andrew Hudson of Decaturville. They had eight children: 1. Hershel Andrew Brasher, b. 8 May 1922. m. Dorothy Carrington. 1. Phillip Andrew Brasher m. Mary Ann Jordan 1. Phillip Andrew Brasher, Jr. b. 9 Sep 1963. 2. Joe Loyce Brasher, b. 10 Jul 1923. m. Bonnie Sue Carrington. 1. Sandra Kay Brasher 2. Judy Carol Brasher 3. Mildred Irene Brasher, b. 14 Aug 1925, d. 20 Aug 1925 4. Dorothy Marie Brasher b. 5 Dec 1926. m. Ruby Revo Cruse. 1. Opal Jean Cruse 2. Larry Wade Cruse 3. Sheila Diane Cruse 4. Dennis Greg Cruse 5. Cathy Theresa Cruse 6. Vincent Darrel Cruse 7. Rebecca Carlette Cruse. 5. Lee Roy Brasher b. 17 Sep 1928. m. Delcie Lorene Stokes. 1. Barry Lee Brasher b. Apr 1954. 2. Victor Wayne Brasher b. 5 Dec 1955. 3. Gerald Bruce Brasher b. 11 Jan 1960. 6. Walter Eugene Brasher b. 29 Mar 1931. m. Dora Dean Stout. Walter E. Brasher is a Baptist preacher. 1. Walter Carl Brasher 2. Christopher Dale Brasher 3. Ricky Allen Brasher 4. Deborah Jean Brasher 5. Roger Dean Brasher, b. Jan 1961. 7. Martha Ann Brasher, b. 22 Sep 1935. m. James Lee Greenway. 1. Pammy Dawn Greenway, b. 28 Oct 1960 2. Barton Keith Greenway, b. 21 Aug 1963 8. Kenneth Ray Brasher,, b. 24 Nov 1937, d. 26 Jan 1957. Brain tumor.
JOEL ELIAS BRASHER
Joel Elias Brasher, b. 28 Dec 1866, d. 24 Feb 1951, m. Sarah Elizabeth "Betty" Russell, b. 5 Mar 1873. They had two children: 1. Avis Fay Brasher, b. 27 Sep 1902 m. (24 Dec 1919) Chester Lee Alexander, b. 16 Aug 1899, d. 7 Nov 1982, buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Jackson, TN. Five children: 1. Margaret Vernell Alexander, b. 15 Dec 1920 m. Urbin N. Littrell; no children 2. Chester Lee Alexander, Jr., b. 17 Jun 1924 m. Mary Elizabeth Wade Six children: see below. 3. Thomas Bufford Alexander, b. 15 Jan 1927 m. Helen Whitmore 4. Billy Wayne Alexander, b. 5 Sep 1931 m. Imogene Ross 5. Bobby Lee Alexander, b. 21 Jun 1934 m. Linda Marie Berry 2. Ray Elias Brasher,, b. 10 Jan 1907, d. 3 Nov 1988 m. (18 Apr 1948 at Corinth, MS) Ruby Lee (ne‚ King) Lutrell, b. 24 Jan 1915, daughter. William and Mazie Jane (Fowler) King. In 1968, P.O. Box 2294, East Peoria, IL 61611 1. Donald Ray Brasher, b. 26 Jun 1951 at Peoria, IL m. (14 Nov 1970) Elaine Walters, b. 8 Sep 1953, Peoria, IL 1. Candice Kay Brasher, b. 15 Nov 1971, Peoria, IL 2. Tanya Lee Brasher, b. 28 May 1973, Peoria, Ill 3. Casandra Lucille Brasher, b. 8 Sep 1974, Peoria, IL 2. Joel Dean Brasher, b. 11 Nov 1953, Peoria, IL m. (4 Apr 1976) Diana Crossland, b. 7 Sep 1957, Peoria, IL 1. Jacob Ely Brasher, b. 19 May 1981, Peoria, IL 2. Jacy Nicole Brasher, b. 18 May 1985, Peoria, IL 3. Jackie Dale Brasher, b. 12 May 1957, Pekin, Tazewell Co, IL m. (29 May 1976) Brenda Kay Ferrell, b. 30 Nov 1956, Peoria, 1. Amanda Sue Brasher, b. 8 Jun 1981, Peoria, IL 2. Jeremy Ray Brasher, b. 29 Oct 1983, Peoria, IL Chester Lee Alexander, Jr., was born 17 Jun 1924, at Scotts Hills, Decatur County, TN. On Dec 25 1949, he married Mary Elizabeth Wade, who was born 14 Jul 1931, in Madison County, TN. (She is the daughter of Isaac E. Wade and Lucy Mae Starkey.) They had six children, all born at Jackson, Madison County, TN: 1. Paul Bruce Alexander, b. 18 Nov 1950 m. Shelby, d. Hayes 1. Paul Christopher Alexander, b. 3 Aug 1970 2. Clifford Lee Alexander, b. 7 Sep 1952 3. Richard Dewayne Alexander, b. 1 Sep 1953, d. 10 Aug 1975 m. Janice Marie Hoyt 1. Ricky Wayne Alexander, b. 9 Oct 1974 4. Patricia Gay Alexander, b. 28 Jul 1955 m. Bobby Joe White, b. 25 Aug 1955, son of Sam Mac White and Nora Irene Middleton. 1. Mandelene Elizabeth White, b. 12 Aug 1979 2. Emilee Kaye White, b. 24 Jan 1982 3. Bobby Joe White, Jr., b. 3 Sep 1985 5. Avis Mae Alexander, b. 22 May 1959 m. Andrew Dennis Lennon 1. Jessica Mae Holman-Lennon, b. 18 Apr 1982 6. Donna Kay Alexander, b. 16 Mar 1961, d. 26 Oct 1978ë
MART BRASHER
Martin Earl "Mart" Brasher, b. 9 Nov 1900, d. 4 Feb 1972, son of Walter Jesse Brasher, and grandson of Philip R. Brasher, m. Flora Lena Parish, b. 15 Aug 1909. They had four children and several grandchildren: 1. Willy Earl Brasher, b. 24 May 1935. m. Arlis Johnson 1. Pamela Gail Brasher, b. 28 Jul 1958 2. Craig Earl Brasher, b. 28 Oct 1960 2. Paul Dean Brasher, b. 3 Jul 1936. m. Lounell Douglas 1. child by Lounell's first marriage. 3. Lena Sue Brasher, b. 25 Sep 1937. m. Clarence Donald Davis 1. Clarence Donald Davis, Jr. b. 20 Jun 1957 2. Donna Sue Davis, b. 29 Jun 1958 3. Jerry Quinn Davis, b. 21 May 1960 4. Margaret Ann Davis, b. 20 Nov 1969 4. Betty Margaret Brasher, b. 6 Oct 1943 m.1. Preston Parker. div. 24 Feb 1977 m.2. 22 Sep 1977 Irie L. Brown

PHILLIP BRASHER
"The Confederate" s/o Walter and Elizabeth (Roberts) Brashears 4. Phillip R. Brasher, b. 1827, d. 8 May 1891, was the third son and fifth child of Walter and Elizabeth (Roberts) Brashears. P. R. Brasher was appointed 2nd Lieutenant in Capt. John McMillan's Co., 52nd Tennessee Regiment, C.S.A., at its organization on 4 Jan 1862 at Henderson Station, TN. Col. B.J. Lea was Regimental Commander; John Esle was Lt. Col. and J.C. Rundle was Major. The regiment took part in the Battle of Shiloh, where 24,000 men were killed in 36 hours. Phillip was wounded in 1862, probably at this battle. After Shiloh, remnants of the 52nd were merged with the 51st, according to The History of Decatur County, Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1886. He did not marry until late, and then married Arie Russel, who was 21 years younger than he. They had three children: 1. Willy A. Brasher, b. 20 Feb 1868, d. 25 Aug 1945 2. Walter Jesse Brasher, b. 12 Apr 1871, d. 1917 3. Robert Adylott Brasher, b. 4 Dec 1887, d. 6 Jun 1955

PHILLIP LOGAN BRASHER
Phillip Logan Brasher, b. 20 Jan 1875, d. c1963, was a school teacher. m. Virgie Lee Davidson, b. 20 Feb 1873, d. c1967, sister of Bertha (Davidson) Brasher, wife of Tom Brasher. They had two children: 1. Jesse A. Brasher, b. 16 Aug 1898 in Decatur Co. TN. m. 11 Sep 1918 Rowena Duck, b. 5 Apr 1903, daughter of William Benjamin Duck, b. 28 Nov 1865. 1. Melba Brasher, b. 5 Mar 1920. m. J. T. Sullivan 1. Cathy Louise Sullivan 2. Jesse Glenn Brasher, b. 6 Aug 1922. m. Dorothy Davis, daughter of Claude Davis of Decatur. Glenn was in W.W.II, volunteer in Burma, spent almost 4 yrs. in hospital in Calcutta. 1. Bonita Brasher, lives in Great Falls, Montana. m. ___?___ Gully from Anaheim, CA 3. Benny Raymond Brasher, b. 4 Jan 1930. Not married. Received M.A. from Univ. Tennessee, 23 yrs. in civil service, lives in Riverside, CA. 2. Coy Brasher, b. 11 Nov 1900, d. 4 Aug 1979 m.1. Stella Bagby, b. 15 Jun 1902. 1. Inez Brasher, b. 10 Jan 1920. m. Fred Tucker, no children. m.2. Grapel Rimmer, b. 22 Feb 1913. (In 1989, Logan's Bible was in the possession of Coy's widow, Grapel Rimmer Brasher.) 2. Frieda Gail Brasher, b. 7 Apr 1946. m. Donald Gillam. 1. David Gillam, b. 1969. 3. Logan Brasher, b. Sep 1948. m. Barbara Brantly. 1. Janice Brasher 2. Kenny Brasher 3. J.C. Brasher 4. Marvin Brasher, b. Aug ?. m. Doris __?__, lives in Reagan 5. Sharon Brasher b. 2 Feb 1954. n.m. Lives in Oklahoma.
Source Unknown
ROBERT BRASHER
Robert Brasher s/o Phillip Brasher, The Confederate Robert Adylott Brasher, b. 4 Dec 1887, d. 6 Jun 1955, the third son of Phillip the Confederate, was born (said his second wife, "Aunt Jewell") after his oldest brother, Willy, had already married and had children. He first married Dora Chrissenberry and they had one child: 1. Georgia May Brasher, b. 16 Jun 1906, m. Martin Pratt two children: Paul Pratt Bobby Sue Pratt Dora died when Georgia May was very young and Georgia May died in childbirth with second child. On 27 Oct 1915, Robert Brasher married Luvina Jewell Ivey, b. 10 May 1897, d. 9 Mar 1985, and they had two children: 2. William Adylott Brasher, b. 5 Oct 1919. m. 26 Nov 1938 Maxine Vise b. 7 May 1922 1. Larry Dewayne Brasher, b. Oct 1943. He is an engineer and lives in New Orleans. m. Gail LeMay. 1. Michelle Brasher 2. Laura Brasher 2. Linda Dian Brasher, b. 6 Feb 1947. n.m. a pharmacist, lives in Memphis. 3. Vernon Brasher, b. 14 Apr 1924, d. 21 Jan 1945, killed in WWII at age 19. m. Josephine White. No children.
WALTER JESSE BRASHER
WALTER JESSE BRASHER son of Phillip Brasher, the Confederate. Was born 12 Apr 1871, d. 1916, second son of Phillip, kept a family Bible, which in 1968 was in the possession of his daughter, Vada Tucker of Henderson, Tenn. He married twice and had five children with each wife. On 2 Oct 1887, he married his first wife, Mary Catherine "Kitty" McMurray; she died five children and almost ten years later, on 13 Feb 1897, at about the age of thirty. The children: 1. Clara Ophelia Brasher, b. 8 Dec 1888, d. 27 Jan 1968; m.1. Charlie Sewall and had one child; m.2. Jess Young, from Bemis. TN; m.3. Perry Butler. 1. Edward Frank Sewall, b. 27 Mar 1909, d. 16 Aug 1944, killed in WW II 2. Joe Philip Brasher, b. 4 Jan 1891, d. 24 Jul 1956. See below. 3. Gussie Alma Brasher, b. 23 Nov 1892, d. 12 Apr 1979 m. Tom Threat & lived in C Children included: James Threat Henry Threat Eugene Threat Walter Threat Dannie Threat Lorene Threat 4. Ora Cathalene Brasher, b. 13 Nov 1894, m. Redden. See below. 5. James Oren Brasher, b. 2 Dec 1897,, d. 21 Feb 1956, See below. On 23 Oct 1900, Walter Jesse Brasher married Martha Elizabeth "Bettie" McMurray, b. 29 Sep 1869,, d. 1 Apr 1940, sister of his first wife, and they had five more children: 6. Martin Earl "Mart" Brasher, b. 9 Nov 1900, d. 4 Feb 1972. See below. 7. Vada Ellis Brasher, b. 8 Jul 1903, d. 24 Mar 1979, m. Walter Tucker. 8. an infant son, died 13 Apr 1905. 9. Walter Kirtly "Kirt" Brasher, b. 25 Feb 1906, d. 20 May 1975. Kirt was an old bachelor, who owned and operated a cafe at Perryville, Tenn. In 1956, he married Mentha Lee Rhodes, b. 11 Sep 1904. There were no children. 10. Kittie Rebecca Brasher, b. 27 Aug 1908, m. Bee Tilton and lived in Colgate, Oklahoma. No children.
WILLY BRASHER
WILLY BRASHER s/o Phillip Brasher, the Confederate Willy's seems to be the unhappy branch that comes to many a family, and we have very little information about him. Most of this comes from a 1968 personal interview with "Aunt Jewell" Brasher, widow of Robert Brasher. Her mind and memory seemed clear enough, but she simply didn't know much. Willy, son of Phillip, married Emma Smith and they had some children: 1. Fred Brasher who in 1968 was living in Oklahoma. 2. Ben Brasher who apparently deserted his wife and children. 1. Fred Brasher, of Parsons, TN. 2. George Brasher, of Decaturville, TN. 3. Hallie Brasher who died young. 4. Buela Brasher 5. Mary Brasher 6. Myrtle Brasher

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