Many thanks to all the many volunteers who lovingly contribute to this site.

I began our family tree research in just the last 9 years, building on the work of a dear cousin who has since passed.

Find a Grave has been such an excellent resource, and I wanted to pay it forward.

If you are related in any way to dear ones whose memorials I manage and desire a transfer, just ask.

I would rather them be in the hands of loving family or friends who will care for them in a more personal way.

Our family surnames include: Nutt, Kelley, Brewer, Lanier, Staggs, Poag, Churchwell, Nesbitt, Defoe, Robnett, Meredith, Crockett, Liles, Sturdivant, Moore, Britt, Devlin, Johnson, Cheairs, McGhee, Scott, and others.

I'm related to Davy Crockett (2308) on my mother's side and a direct descendant of Nicholas Lanier (78196686) and Antonio Bassano (87761431) on my father's side, thus distantly related to Thomas Lanier Williams, aka Tennessee Williams (1111).

Areas of research include:

Tennessee (Knox, Washington, Lawrence, Davidson, Wayne, Shelby)

Alabama (Lauderdale)

Mississippi (Tate, Panola, Desoto).

Lately, I have been fascinated with my research in the north eastern states.

I have always felt drawn to the Appalachian mountains and the eastern shore.

And, of late, late, enjoying a little dabble into cemeteries and bio histories of the UK including quite a bit of research and memorial updates for the Florence Nightingale family.

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"Gone From My Sight"

believed to be written by the Rev. Luther F. Beecher (1813–1903)

I am standing upon the seashore.

A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze,

and starts for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength,

and I stand and watch her until she hangs like a speck of white cloud

just where the sea and sky come down to meet and mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: "There! She's gone!"

Gone where? Gone from my sight—that is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side,

and just as able to bear her load of living freight

to the place of her destination.

Her diminished size is in me and not in her.

And just at that moment

when someone at my side says: "There! She's gone!"

there are other eyes that are watching for her coming;

and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:

"There she comes!"

And that is—"dying."