Jenell was the wife of Vernon Bilbrey. (J. K. Polk Wilson's grandson - Vermon Bilbrey. Jenell and Vermon had one daughter, Judy Faye Bilbrey Pryor. Vermon worked in the deep mines the first few years and was reputedly one of the best dynamite men around. Continuation of this good paying job was not be because of the technology changes in mining coupled with cheap oil prices caused a major reduction in mining employment.
Vernon and Jenell farmed, and Jenell ran a country store and gas station located adjacent to their home. They were known for their personal integrity. "His word is his bond." In the late 1960's and 1970's Vermon developed an outstanding herd of black angus cattle. He was known as an excellent cattleman. Again, when the economy converted and cattle was no longer profitable, they began growing green beans.
Vernon suffered from a severe skin disorder and arthritis, and was in unbearable pain. In March 1985, he was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer, and died 13 August 1985.
This info was obtained from "History of Fentress County, by Fentress County Historical Society.
The parents of Jenell Miller, was Chester Miller and Winnie Atkinson. Short history of Chester and Winnie Atkinson Miller's lives:
Chester Miller, born 28 Nov 1914, was the son of Hillary and Ida Henry Miller. On 1 April 1934, Chester married Winnie Atkinson. She was born in Overton County near the Muddy Pond Community on 4 Jan 1917. They were the parents of Jenell, 28 June 1935, who married Vernon Bilbrey, Norma Jean, 27 February 1939, who married Bluford Bowman, Jr,; Pauline, 1948, who married Roger Hull; Lowell, 1950, who married Mildred Franklin, and was later divorced; and Roger Dale, 9 October 1955, who married Sue Phillips.
Chester's father, Hillary, was the son of Leander Miller. According to the unpublished works of Carson Key, "Leander Miller took the first wagon load of tools into Wilder to open the Wilder mines." Hillary, known as "Pap" Miller to his grandchildren and subsequently to the entire neighborhood, was noted for his ability to tell stories. One of the stories told by Hillary that had a major impact on his grandchildren had to do with Indians who once stayed the night at his father's house. It seems that Hillary's father who lived on the old Emory road - replaced by the current Highway 62 - invited some Cherokees who were traveling the road to stay the night. The weather was snowy and cold - a typical Cumberland Plateau winter night. Leander felt sorry for the Indian family and offered them shelter. They made their beds down in front of the cabin fireplace. Hillary, a small boy at the time, remembered that he would sneak and look around the door at them sleeping with their heads toward the fire. Hillary remembered that he didn't sleep much because he was a little "skeered" having Indians in the house." To this day, his grandchildren wonder, as they retell the story, whether the Indians may also have been a "little skeered" since they slept with their heads to the fire.
The children liked the regular stories, but were more entranced by the tall tales for which "Pap" Miller was famous. Since he normally started telling the stories out by saying "I was down at Jimmie's", the stories were called "Jimmie Tales" by his grandchildren. Jimmie was one of Hillary's brothers - Jimmie Miller (June 14 1874 to February 27, 1952), who is buried at Camp Ground Cemetery along with his brothers William Burton (April 2, 1886 to August 21, `978); Dillard (April 1882 to December 13, 1929); and Hillary.
Winnie Miller is the daughter of John and Biddie Frances England Atkinson. John and Biddie were married in 1902. Their children were Pearl, Ester, Winnie, Ollie, Stella, Corbet, Leamon, Claude, and Odell. Biddie Frances was reputed to have been "quite a beauty." John Atkinson (1878-1945)(, born in Kentucky, was the son of Francis (1841-1926) and Lucinda "Lucindy" Young Atkinson. Francis was one of the thirteen children of Lewis Atkinson (1808-1890), and Arcenia Wilson Atkinson (1811-1878), who are buried at the Westfelt Cemetery, Fentress County. Lewis was the son of Joel Atkinson, the great great grandfather of Winnie Atkinson Miller, is buried in the Rotten Ford Cemetery, Fentress County, Tennessee.
Shortly after their marriage, Chester and Winnie moved to Cumberland County where he worked on the Federal construction projects of the Homestead Community. In 1935, they returned to Fentress County to live in Wilder's "Dog Town," while Chester worked in the coal mines. In 1941, the family moved to Dayton, Ohio where Chester worked for "Inland." when jobs became available at Oak Ridge, Chester and Winnie returned to Tennessee. Chester than joined the Army and when the war was over returned to Fentress County and the Camp Ground Community. The family subsequently moved from the Camp Ground area to a place on the Monterey Road (State Highway 62) where they established a small store, did truck farming, and Chester supplemented the family income by driving a school bus.
Chester was an early member of the Roritans and was involved in a number of community activities. He especially loved to play checkers, and according to one of his old competitors, Escol Norman, was quite good. He and Escol were said to have tied the world champion two years in a row. After Chester's death on 329 March 1971, Winnie continued to operate the store into the early 1980-'s. She now is enjoying her retirement while keeping track of children, grandchildren, and making a garden. She does take time off to visit with friends and relatives, As neighbors and friends can testify, Winnie Miller is an excellent neighbor, always available in time of need, and a fine Christian Lady. (History of Fentress County, by the Fentress County Historical Society, F367) Vernon Homer Bilbrey and Jenell Miller had the following children:
+441 i. Judy Faye Bilbrey.
Return to Table of Contents