An American Story: the Visible Vibrant Legacy of the Miller Family: Fond Memories of Gum Springs and Other African American Communities in Cocke County, Tennessee

By Mary Ann Edmond and Chana Edmond-Verley

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains lived an American family the David and Lizzie Miller family. This book is a story about the Millers, and the seven African American communities in Cocke County, Tennessee. Its a book about a community of people oft en invisible or overlooked in historical accounts. However, this family and these seven communities were vibrantly visible. The story and a collection of photos document an everyday American experience and the values that fueled a people. These values oft en not attributed to them--give meaning to a collective vision of America and a way of life that embraced: nurture of family, love of God, education of children, the building of community, and a dedication to earning a living through hard work and entrepreneurial endeavors.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jul 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781490781327

Mary Ann Edmond

MARY A. EDMOND, a historian, educator, and author was educated in the segregated Rosenwald schools of Cocke County, Tennessee. She went on to become a Fulbright Scholar to West Africa, the Governors appointed chair of the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission, and the 2010 Giants of Giants Awards recipient in Grand Rapids Michigan. She holds a BA from Knoxville College, MS from Western Michigan University, and ABD from Wayne State University. Among Marys numerous authored works are the exhibit 150 years of African American presence in Kent County; Anti-bias in Instructional Materials; and Connecting with the Learning: An Equity Toolkit. CO- AUTHOR, CHAN EDMOND- VERLEY believes in the wisdom of community, and power of stories. Officially a senior program officer with a local foundation, Edmond-Verley is known as an innovative strategist, and passionate change-maker. A 25 year veteran in systems change and author of several publications including Connecting with the Learning: An Equity Toolkit, Chanas impact work in education has been featured on National Public Radio (NPR) and in Education Week. Chana holds a BA in Economics from Spelman College, and a MS in Information Systems Management from Grand Valley State University.

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Copyright 2017 Mary Ann (Dykes) Edmond with Chana Edmond-Verley.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Print information available on the last page.

isbn: 978-1-4907-8133-4 (sc)

isbn: 978-1-4907-8132-7 (e)

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This book is dedicated to Grandpa Dave; Grandma Lizzie; my Mom, Nannie; my Dad, Percival; and all my uncles and aunts. It is also dedicated to cousin, May Frazier Swagerty Leeper, a former teacher and role model who instilled in me an undying thirst for education, an unchangeable sense of racial pride, and a love of history. Last, but by no means least, this book is dedicated to the numerous unsung citizens of Cocke County whose collective efforts created The 8th of August Celebration, and who over the years have maintained, supported and preserved the biennial celebration known today as the Tennessee Picnic(TP™).

Preface

This book is written with several purposes in mind. First, it is a genealogy and historical account of the David William and Elizabeth Harrison Miller family of Cocke County, Tennessee. Secondly, it is a brief history of the presence of African Americans in Cocke County, Tennessee, especially the Gum Springs community. Thirdly, it is written to inspire other African Americans-wherever they live-to research and fill in the missing pages of their histories and contributions. Finally, it is an account of the Miller family’s connection to other families in Cocke County, Tennessee. The book includes:

Seventy-nine years of personal memories

Information shared at family gatherings, especially when Mother moved all of us in with Grandma after Grandpa and Dad died in 1944 and 1945, respectively

Family stories, photos, and information gathered over the years from my mother Nannie who lived with me in Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1965 until her death on March 23, 1991 and ongoing visits with Aunt Maggie and her family in Detroit, Michigan

Photos, newspaper articles, and other documents from my sisters and cousins, especially Julia Swagerty, Dorothy Pinchon, Helen Moore, and my own personal collection

Research by myself, Julia, and Yvonne and resultant records gleaned from the Stokely Memorial Library on our trips to Newport, Tennessee- especially death certificates and articles from the Newport Plain Talk

Phone calls, discussions, and e-mails with my cousins and others over the past 27 years

Family genealogy was pulled together from notes and minutes from my mom’s notebooks and Bibles. Knowledge gained from Michigan Black History Network (MBHN) speakers and workshop presenters has been invaluable. Especially helpful was a workshop presented on genealogy by Oakland University Professor DeWitt Dykes, my cousin, and the first president of MBHN. Further inspiration was gained while researching for The Michigan Underground Railroad, a series of eight video tapes produced for Grand Rapids Public Schools; Pathways to Michigan Black History, a book published by the State of Michigan; and 150 Years of African American Presence in Kent County, MI, an exhibit jointly produced with Gordon Olsen, retired Grand Rapids City Historian, and myself.

Inspiration was also derived from my son-in-law Dwayne Verley, who interviewed my husband’s father and provided my immediate family with a cherished video: The Life of Roscoe Edmond. Additional inspiration was derived from my late husband Leroy R. Edmond, who took pride in all my work and encouraged me as only a husband can and my three wonderful children: Chana Edmond-Verley, Deidra Mayweather, and Ivan Edmond.

Finally, the motivation to put this story into print came from a surprise invitation to speak at the 2005 Tennessee Picnic (TP™) Heritage Banquet in Newport, Tennessee. As the replacement for the keynote speaker, I only had two days to prepare a presentation. While attending