Andrew Vannoy was born August 12, 1742 as the son of John and Susannah Anderson Vannoy. Andrew was the captain of a company in the 10 N.C. Regiment, Revolutionary War, under the command of Col. Abraham Shepard. He is recorded as having retired from the service April 19, 1777.

After his retirement from the service, Andrew apparently decided it was time to start his own family. On October 18, 1779, the 37-year-old Andrew married Susannah Shepherd (b. ca. 1762, d. Mar. 13, 1816), the daughter of John (Sr) and Sarah Shepherd, establishing the first know first known marriage between the Vannoy and Shepherd families.

Vannoy Connection See the article: The Vannoy Connection: Linking Cousins Grover Shepherd & Ethel Walker While Grover Cleveland Shepherd is a cousin to the Vannoys through his great, great grandfather John Shepherd, Jr., his wife Ethel is a direct Vannoy descendant. Click Here to see Ethel's Vannoy ancestry.

However, Andrew didn't get a chance to settle down quite so soon.

Vannoy family reports say that when Lord Cornwallis began his invasion of North Carolina, Captain Andrew Vannoy recruited a band of neighbors, some of who had been in his earlier company and joined the forces of Col. Benjamin Cleveland which routed the invaders at the famous battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780. Andrew's brother, Nathaniel, was one of the recruits, and according to family record, was a member of Col. Cleveland's staff, serving him as sergant major. These mountain patriots were not a regularly organized band, but rather an improvised force that was recruited suddenly in an locality of threatened danger. Accustomed to Indian raids, they were always prepared to rush to the defense of their homes and neighbors when signal fires were lighted on nearby mountain tops.

Andrew died October 9, 1809. He and Susannah are likely buried in a family cemetery on top of a ridge on the east side of Mulberry Creek, on present-day SR1766 in Wilkes County, NC. There are no tombstones for them, but there are several rocks in the section of the cemetery in which two of their children have inscribed markers.

Ten Known Children of Andrew and Susannah Shepherd Vannoy:

1. Rebecca Vannoy
2. Abraham Vannoy
3. Andrew Vannoy
4. Sarah Vannoy
5. Enoch Vannoy
6. James Vannoy
7. Nathaniel Vannoy
8. Mary 'Polly' Vannoy
9. Susannah Vannoy
10. Elizabeth Vannoy

1. Rebecca Vannoy, born Aug. 7, 1780.

2. Abraham or Abner Vannoy, born Dec. 27, 1782; died Nov. 15, 1857; married Mary __?__; Had one known child:
   • William Vannoy, married Frances Sparks; Had one known child:
     • Daniel Vannoy, married Betty Edwards; Had four known children:
       • Nancy Theodosia Vannoy, married Julius Sylvester "Vessie" Myers; Had eight known children:
         1. John Myers, married Daisy __?__.
         2. Mary Myers, married Ora Wyatt.
         3. Clarence T. Myers, married Dallas Dell.
         4. Naomi Myers, married Odell Blevins.
         5. Oleava "Leavy" Marshall Myers, married __?__ Jennings
         6. Oliver Harrison Myers, married Mamie Martha Haynes; Had two known children: Marlene and Linda.
         7. Marshall Myers, married Hester __?__.
         8. Betty Lou Sina Myers, married Roby __?__.

       • Maggie Vannoy
       • Carrie Vannoy, married John Hutchinson
       • William Vannoy, died at age three

3. Andrew Vannoy, born June 17, 1784; died June 1, 1871; married Nancy Powell (b. ca. 1786, d. Sept., 1844), April 12, 1815.

4. Sarah Vannoy, born Mar. 7, 1788; died Aug. 7, 1868; married Isaiah McGrady (b. Feb. 8, 1784, d. Feb. 21, 1872); Isaiah was an early settler on Mulberry Creek in Wilkes County, NC, and the present McGrady community derived its name from him. Sarah and Isaiah are buried side by side in above-ground native stone mausoleums located between SR1766 and Mulberry Creek. Eight known children born in Wilkes Co., NC:
   • Andrew McGrady, born 1809
   • Russell Nelson McGrady, born ca. 1810
   • Susannah McGrady, born Dec. 16, 1812
   • Elizabeth McGrady, born Mar. 16, 1816
   • Aaron McGrady, born 1818
   • Frances McGrady, born May 20, 1821
   • Phebe McGrady, born Sept. 18, 1828
   • Louise McGrady, born 1828

5. Enoch Vannoy, born Nov. 20, 1790; died Sept. 25, 1873; married Litra (Lydia) McGrady (b. ca. 1801, d. April 14, 1871), Dec. 10, 1813 in Wilkes Co., NC; Enoch and Litra are buried in the Roberts Family Cemetery at McGrady, in Wilkes Co., NC.

6. James Vannoy, born June 27, 1792; died Feb. 19, 1857; married Sarah Shepherd (b. Nov. 21, 1795, d. Nov. 27, 1880), Dec. 5, 1813 in Wilkes Co., NC. Sarah was the daughter of John, Jr. and Pheba Eseentrino Shepherd.

   James was a Baptist Minister beloved of all who knew him. The 1830 census shows that James and Sarah owned six slaves. At his death he was referred to in a church resolution as "a good man, a kind husband, an affectionate father, a humble follower, an able minister of Christ and one of the most pious ministers of God in the Baptist demonination."

   The following is a letter written about Elder James Vannoy by his daughter Susannah Vannoy Whittington that was in an old family Bible in possession of Nancy Ryals. It was submitted by Sandra Shepherd Blevins.

   The Biography of my lovely father now is dead and gone.

   Elder James Vannoy was born June 27, 1792. Joined the Baptist Church at Reddis River on 2nd Friday in October 1812. Where as it has pleased God in his all wise divine providence to remove from our midst our worthy and esteemed Brother Elder James Vannoy. In him we mourn the loss of one of the most Pious ministers of God in the Baptist denomination. He toiled for many years. Spent with untiring ability a great portion of his time in the service of his master laboring in his vineyard encouraging Christians and warning sinners against an awful jdgement that would appear in the day of final accounts. He preached his last sermon at his own church Reddis River, Wilkes County NC on Saturday before he died on the Wednesday following February the 19th, 1857, his text 13 . 24. 25 of Matthew. Resolved that in his death we deeply deplore our loss and sympathize with our sister church at Reddis River to which he so long has been pastor and counsellor and the surrounding churches with which his labors have been so abundantly blessed. Resolved that while we bow in humble submission to decree that laid our brother in the grave yet we feel that loss is his eternal gain.

   Resolved we do console his dear family in whose hearts has an aching void has been left which can never be filled nevertheless we tender this our sympathy in assurance that he was a good man a kind husband an affectionate father beloved by all who knew him an humble follower and able minister of Christ who he bore his cross meeklly and is now at rest I sincerely hope.

   Signed Susannah Whittington

   Elder James and Sarah Shepherd Vannoy, along with some of their descendants, are buried in the Elder James Vannoy Cemetery at the Vannoy homeplace on the middle fork of Reddies River, Wilkes County, NC. More descendants of James and Sarah Vannoy are buried in the Reddies River Baptist Church Cemetery. Had 11 known children:

   • John H. Vannoy, born Sept. 19, 1814; died April 1, 1855; married Catherine Gambill, March 18, 1835; Lived in the north prong of Reddies River; Had eight known children:
     • Nancy Vannoy, born ca. 1836
     • William Vannoy, born ca. 1838
     • Sarah Vannoy, born ca. 1840
     • James Vannoy, born ca. 1842
     • Columbus Vannoy, born ca. 1844
     • Peter Vannoy, born ca. 1846
     • Joseph Vannoy, born ca. 1848
     • Mary Vannoy, born ca. 1850

   • Phebe Vannoy, born July 27, 1816; died Nov. 30, 1892; married Wade Hampton Colvard (b. July 9, 1805, d. June 29, 1880), Nov. 2, 1831; Wade was a farmer and shoe maker. Eight of Wade and Phoebe's sons served in the Civil War during which two, Jesse and James, were killed in battle. Wade and Phoebe are buried in the Reddies River Baptist Church Cemetery. Had 11 known children. For more information on Wade Hampton Colvard and his descendants, see the Wade Hampton Colvard Family Article.

   • Mary Vannoy, born Mar. 17, 1818.

   • Jesse Vannoy, born Nov. 10, 1820; died Aug. 30, 1882; married 1st Ann Gilreath; married 2nd Nancy Eller; married 3rd Caroline Waters, Aug. 3, 1849; Had three known children by Caroline Walters:

     • Ellen Vannoy, born 1851; married Richard LeRoy Vannoy; Had five known children:
       • Unnamed Vannoy (female), died at birth
       • Wiley Vannoy
       • Gaither Vannoy
       • Albert Vannoy

         William Vannoy Family in 1954 - Front row (l-r): Clyde, Fred and James. Standing (l-r): Pansy, Lucy, Faye, Ann, Opal, Jean, Ella Mae (mother) and William (father).

       • William Cleveland Vannoy, born April 12, 1886; died April 29, 1956; married Ella Mae Faw (b. Jan. 29, 1890, d. Dec. 12, 1960); Had 12 known children:
         1. __?__ Vannoy (female), died in infancy.
         2. __?__ Vannoy (female), died in infancy
         3. Charlie Vannoy, born April 2, 1906; died Oct. 4, 1981; married Bulah Bare.
         4. Clyde Vannoy, born Sept. 17, 1913; married Iva Keys.
         5. Fred Vannoy, born Feb. 12, 1915; died April 4, 1977; married Maude Cole.
         6. Lucy Vannoy, born Sept. 14, 1917; married Claude Lyalls.

         7. James Raymond Vannoy, born Feb. 24, 1919; died before 2004; married Wilma Christine Witherspoon (b. Mar. 18, 1924, d. May 18, 2004); James volunteered for the Army in 1941 and served in World War II in Italy and North Africa with the Fifth Army. He was discharged in October, 1945 and returned to Ashe County, North Carolina.

            James Raymond Vannoy

            After James married, he and Wilma spent the first year of their married life in Perryman, MD, but then returned to Jefferson, NC and lived with their parents for awhile. They soon built a house on part of the Witherspoon farm. James worked as a carpenter with his brother-in-law, Zeb Witherspoon and later started a building contracting business for himself. After his sons became grown, they joined their father and it became James R. Vannoy & Sons Construction Company of Jefferson and they also have a branch office in Charlotte, NC. They have built many buildings in Ashe and surrounding counties. James was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, then joined Friendship Baptist Church where his wife was a member and he served as a Trustee and Deacon. James also served on the Board of Trustees at Ashe Memorial Hospital and the Board of Directors of the Northwestern Bank in Jefferson, NC. Had four known children:

            William Eddie Vannoy

            • William Eddie Vannoy, born July 14, 1948; married 1st Susan Cromartie and had two known children: James Shannon, born Oct. 6, 1972, and William Brandon, born Nov. 13, 1974; married 2nd Evelyn Dolinger and had one known child: Brittany Nichole, born Dec. 21, 1981. Eddie is the developer of Jefferson Landing Golf Club in Jefferson, NC.

            • James Mark Vannoy, born Sept. 30, 1952; married Martha Long; Had two known children: James Will, born Sept. 24, 1979, and Ashton Rock, born Oct. 15, 1981.

              James Mark Vannoy

            • Penny Christine Vannoy, born June 25, 1959; died in infancy.

            • Timothy Eric Vannoy, born Feb. 19, 1964; married Alice Jones.

         8. Pansy Vannoy, born May 24, 1922; married 1st Ersel Hooven; married 2nd Will Collier.
         9. Ann Vannoy, born Nov. 22, 1924; married Jimmy Turner.
         10. Opal Vannoy, born Mar. 19, 1926; married Albert Martin.
         11. Faye Vannoy, born Mar. 4, 1930; married Burl Sharpe.

             Timothy Eric Vannoy

         12. Jean Vannoy, born Mar. 30, 1933; married George Lewis.

     • Miriah Vannoy, born 1853
     • Elvira Vannoy, born 1856; married Alexander McGlamery and had several children.

   • Enoch Vannoy, born Jan. 21, 1822; died June 28, 1894; married Nancy Walters (b. 1826), Dec. 20, 1845; Lived on the Middle Fork of Reddies River; Had five known children:
     • Henrietta Vannoy, born Feb. 9, 1847; married John Lynn Whittington; Had four known children:
       • Mary Ann Whittington, born 1870; married Norman Dancy
       • Ellen Whittington, born 1873; married Paul Raspberry
       • Jane Whittington, born 1875; married Henry Johnson
       • Belle Whittington, born Oct. 15, 1877; married Samuel Ward

     • Rudy H. Vannoy, born Oct. 17, 1851; married Elvina Prichard; Had ten known children:
       • John B. Vannoy, born Jan. 12, 1876
       • Charles Vannoy, born Aug. 9, 1877
       • James Vannoy, born Sept. 9, 1879
       • Wiley C. Vannoy, born Mar. 12, 1881
       • Myrtle Vannoy, born Aug. 15, 1883
       • Lillie Vannoy, born Aug. 27, 1885
       • Muncy Vannoy, born Sept. 21, 1888
       • Pell Vannoy, born April 27, 1891
       • Lether Vannoy, born May 22, 1893
       • Larry Vannoy, born Sept. 7, 1895

     • James Lewis Vannoy, born June 13, 1859; died Oct. 9, 1883; married Mary Mariah Whittington (b. Feb. 7, 1861, d. Sept. 14, 1931), Jan. 8, 1880; Had one known child:
       • Myrtle Louisa Vannoy, born Nov. 4, 1881; died Aug. 4, 1958; married Smith E. Whittington (b. Feb. 4, 1874, d. May 31, 1940), Nov. 21, 1897; Smith and Myrtle Louise bought a 166-acre farm in the Reddies River community and built a home on it. Smith was a farmer and a substitute mail carrier for James Franklin (Dock) Vannoy, the regular carrier. Smith and Myrtle Louise were members of Reddies River Baptist Church. They are both buried in the church cemetery. Had six known children:

         Smith & Myrtle Vannoy Whittington

         1. Winnie Verina Whittington, born Sept. 13, 1898; died May 15, 1985; married 1st Smith Rhodes (b. 1897, d. Oct. 16, 1938), Sept. 2, 1917; married 2nd Lil Norris; Had five known children:
            • Virginia Rhoades, married Sam Odell; Had two known children: Jerry and Martha.
            • Blanche Rhoades, married Robert Sayler; Had three known children: Margaret Ann, Rebecca, and Smith.
            • John S. Rhoades, married Alpha Rose; Had two known children: Debbie and John S., Jr.
            • Raymond J. Rhoades, married Nina Farmer; Had one known child: Judy Farmer.
            • Ralph V. Rhoades, married Jo __?__.

         2. James Gordon Whittington, born May 22, 1900; died May 21, 1979; married Edora Bell Shepherd (b. Dec. 18, 1904, d. Jan. 22, 1983 - daughter of James Harrison and Jane Roberts Shepherd), May 6, 1923; James and Edora moved to Cabarrus Co., NC where he worked in Cannon Mills. They both died in Cabarrus Co. and are buried in Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC; Had four known children.
            • Infant Whittington, born and died July 15, 1923
            • Bell Whittington, born and died June 19, 1924
            • James Gordon Whittington, Jr., married Joyce Burkey; Had one known child: Sherrie.
            • Myrtle Susie Whittington, married E.H. Poole; Had three known children: Debbie, John, and Christie.

         3. Ruth Ann Whittington, born Aug. 24, 1904; died Dec. 7, 1981; married Troy Odell Shumate (b. May 6, 1901, d. May 7, 1980), Oct. 15, 1927; Had one known child:
            • Thomas Odell Shumate, born Sept. 7, 1929; married Lena Rash.

         4. Helen Smith Whittington, born Aug. 13, 1910; married Conrad Vannoy (Mar. 19, 1906, d. Nov. 21, 1986), Feb. 2, 1929; Conrad is buried at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Wilkes Co., NC; Had four known children:
            • Martha Louise Vannoy, born Mar. 19, 1930; married Quinton Osborne; Had three known children: Steven, Stanley and Mike.

            • Joseph Smith Vannoy, born mar. 13, 1934; died Nov. 11, 1939; buried in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Wilkes Co., NC.

            • Lynda Gray Vannoy, born Oct. 28, 1941; married Boyd Anthony Higgins, May 26, 1963; Had two known children: Melissa Lynn and Scott Anthony.

            • Frank Douglas Vannoy, born Nov. 16, 1943; married Lucille Blankenship; Had two known children: Joseph Franklin and Jamie.

         5. Calvin Smith Whittington, born Jan. 4, 1915; married Thelma Ruth Miller (b. July 31, 1914, d. Feb. 17, 1967), Dec. 24, 1934; Had nine known children:
            • James Calvin Whittington, born Aug. 3, 1935; married 1st Emma Hagger; married 2nd Trula Mullis in 1989; Had two known children by Emma Hagger: Paula Jean, born Dec. 10, 1958, and James Timothy, born Sept. 5, 1962.

            • Thelma Joan Whittington, born April 26, 1938; married Carmel Bumgarner, June 13, 1958; Had one known child:
              • Mike Allen Bumgarner, born Dec. 24, 1968; married Tammie Royal.

            • Myrtle Ann Whittington, born June 8, 1941; married Basil Severt, June 11, 1958; Had one known child: Basil Kenneth, born Oct. 24, 1959.

            • Samuel Smith Whittington, born Oct. 25, 1943; married Lyndia Dancy, Jan. 2, 1964; Had two known children: David Smith, born July 26, 1964, and Randy Lyn, born Oct. 8, 1968.

            • Mary Rosalyn Whittington, born June 24, 1949; married Steve South, Dec. 22, 1967; Had three known children: Crystal Naomi, Stephanie Ann, and James Steven.

            • Rebeckah Jane Whittington, born Aug. 6, 1954; married Charles Ronald White, Dec. 26, 1976; Had two known children: Jennifer LeAnn, born Oct. 17, 1979, and Julia Rebeckah, born July 27, 1981.

            • Ruth Elizabeth Whittington, born Mar. 24, 1957; unmarried.

            • Tina Lois Whittington, born Mar. 13, 1962.

            • John Timothy Whittington, born and died Mar. 13, 1962

         6. Mary Kate Whittington, born Nov. 17, 1916; married Glenn Jack Reeves (b. April 7, 1916), April 9, 1939; Jack is retired from N.B. Smithey Auction Company and is a magistrate for the 23rd Judicial District. Last known living in the Cricket community of Wilkes Co., NC; Had three known children:
            • Mary Louise Reeves, born Aug. 18, 1941; married Eugene Canter (b. April 7, 1940), June 28, 1959; Had two known children:
              • Mark Andrew, born Jan. 30, 1961; married Jeanette Queen (b. Jan. 5, 1961).
              • Alethea Ann, born July 9, 1962

            • John David Smith Reeves, born Sept. 22, 1951; married Cathy Elizabeth Church (b. May 5, 1951), June 15, 1974; Had three known children: Chad, born Mar. 2, 1978, Ashleigh Elizabeth, born Feb. 24, 1981, and Tanner Chase, born Dec. 26, 1985.

            • Glenn Douglas Reeves, born May 17, 1953; married Debra Lynn Beshears (b. May 8, 1956), May 17, 1981; Had one known child: Daniel, born Sept. 24, 1985.

     • Enoch Noah Vannoy, born Aug. 1, 1868; died Nov. 21, 1928; married Ida Whittington, Feb. 6, 1887; Had nine known children:

       Pansy Vannoy Church

       • Jenie Vannoy, born Dec. 12, 1897; married Lum Miller; Had six known children:
       • Annie Vannoy, born Mar. 3, 1889; died June 2, 1890
       • Lizzie May Vannoy, born Nov. 16, 1890; married Edwin Hartzog. No children.
       • Walter M. Vannoy, born Jan. 4, 1893; married Catherine Beasley. Had one child.
       • Isaac R. Vannoy, born Sept. 30, 1894; married Ida McNeil and had two children.
       • Gaither H. Vannoy, born Nov. 19, 1897; married 1st Pearl Dancy; married 2nd Mary Nellie Ashley (b. Sept. 6, 1920, d. Sept. 7, 2011).
         Had three known children by Pearl Dancy:
         1. Clyde Vannoy, married __?__ Whittington.
         2. Louise Vannoy, married __?__ Hall.
         3. James "Jim" Vannoy

            Had one known child by Mary Nellie Ashley:

         4. Bill Hampton Vannoy, married Marcella __?__; live in Millers Creek, NC.

       • Lillie B. Vannoy, born May 16, 1900; married Clayton Whittington; Had one known child: Max.
       • Mamie C. Vannoy, born April 23, 1902; married J.D. Gettys. Had several children.
       • Pansy Vannoy, born Aug. 18, 1906; died April 18, 1936; married Turner Church. No children.

     • Mary Ann Vannoy, born ca. 1870; married 1st Wiley Whittington; married 2nd Alexander Miller; Had one son by first marriage and two sons by second marriage.

     Alexander Greenbury Whittington Family 1880 - Alexander Greenbury and Susannah Vannoy Whittington (seated center), daughters Laura Whittington Colvard (seated left) and Eliza Whittington Johnson (seated right), son Phineas Alexander Whittington (kneeling left), Laura's husband Thomas Jefferson Colvard (standing left), Laura's children Sallie Anna Colvard (standing center) and Thomas Robbin Colvard (kneeling center), man standing on right may be Eliza's husband George Johnson.

   • Susannah Vannoy, born Oct. 13, 1824; died Nov. 13, 1882; married Alexander Greenbury Whittington (b. Mar. 26, 1811, d. May 23, 1890), July 21, 1842 in Wilkes Co., NC; Had four known children:
     • Eliza Victoria Whittington, born May 21, 1853; married George Johnson about 1876; Had five known children:
       • Hoy Johnson, born April, 1877
       • Lee Johnson, born March, 1879
       • Wiley Johnson, born 1883
       • Jennie Johnson, born 1885
       • Anna Johnson, born 1888

     • Laura Ann Whittington, born June 11, 1855; died Jan. 25, 1909; married 1st Charles Cicero Colvard; married 2nd Thomas J. Colvard in 1880/81; For the descendants of Laura Whittington, see Charles Cicero Colvard and Thomas J. Colvard families.

     • James Vance Whittington, born July 1, 1860; died July 16, 1935; married Sarah Jane Vannoy (b. Oct. 25, 1860, d. Jan. 29, 1942), about 1883; Had at least eight children - names of four known:
       • Cleveland Whittington, born January, 1885
       • Laura Mae Whittington, born May 19, 1888; died April 13, 1974; married Noah Jacob Staley (b. June 14, 1888, d. Feb. 14, 1961).
       • Maggie Whittington, born May, 1893
       • Lola Whittington, born Sept., 1897

     • Phineas A. Whittington, born July 11, 1866; married Julia Faw; Had eight known children:
       • Bertha Whittington, married James Kilby
       • Lola Whittington, married Charles McGlamery
       • Ebbie Whittington, married 1st Alice Richardson and had six children; married 2nd Dora Lankford and had one son.
       • Gaither Whittington, married Ida Staley; Had one known son: Ralph.
       • Avery Whittington, married Velna Myers; Had four sons.
       • Clara Whittington, died at age 12
       • Quincy Whittington, married and had three children.
       • Jettie Whittington, married Joseph Childress; Had four children.

     Lewis Wentfield & Mary Whittington Vannoy

   • James Harvey Vannoy, born Mar. 9, 1826; died Feb. 24, 1898; married Mariah Elizabeth Whittington, Dec. 21, 1855; No children.

   • Sarah Vannoy, born June 31, 1828; died unmarried May 2, 1894.

   • Catherine Vannoy, born Oct. 17, 1833; died Sept. 8, 1844.

   • Neil C. Vannoy, born Dec. 17, 1838; died Dec. 2, 1862 in Powell Co., TN; married Caroline Whittington (b. 1839), Mar. 9, 1859.

   • Lewis Wentfield Vannoy, born Nov. 22, 1840; died Jan. 1, 1927; married 1st Louisa Burkett (b. June 20, 1841), Jan. 2, 1860; married 2nd Mrs. Mary Mariah Whittington Vannoy (b. Feb. 7, 1861, d. Sept. 14, 1931), Mar. 15, 1885; Lewis enlisted in the Confederate Army on August 7, 1862 and was discharged on April 9, 1865. He was in Company B -- 6th N.C. Calvary Brigade Baringer Reg. of Cal. G.N. Foke and Capt. N.B. Council.
     Had seven known children by Louise Burkett born in Wilbar, NC:

     John Lynn & Mary Jane Vannoy Whittington

     • Mary Jane Vannoy, born June 10, 1867; died Jan. 12, 1946; married John L. Whittington, Jan. 25, 1885; Had nine known children:
       • Dr. Eugene Whittington, born June 5, 1888; died 1942
       • Ethel Whittington, born Aug. 23, 1890; died 1891
       • Otto Whittington, born Oct. 17, 1893; died April 8, 1965; married Ruth Shepherd, Feb. 23, 1924; Otto graduated from North Wilkesboro High School and attended the business school of Applachian State Teacher's College. Otto served in the Rainbow Division of the United States Army during World War I and was wounded in action in France. Otto and Ruth built a home and settled in Wilkesboro, NC. Shortly thereafter they opened a business called Southern Cleaners in North Wilkesboro. Otto was chairman of the Draft Board of Wilkesboro during World War II. He served on the school board for a number of years. Otto is buried at Mountlawn Memorial Park in Wilkes Co., NC. Had two known children:
         1. Otto K. Whittington, Jr., born Jan. 18, 1925; married Mildred Hughes, Oct. 7, 1950; Had two known children:
            • Thomas Hughes Whittington, born Dec. 10, 1954
            • Janet Louise Whittington, born June 2, 1957; married Michael Everett Salisbury, July 14, 1984; Had two known children: James and Gregory.

            Otto & Ruth Shepherd Whittington with sons Otto, Jr. and Bill

         2. William Franklin Whittington, born Mar. 3, 1929; married Geraldine Wiles (b. Dec. 8, 1933), June 1, 1958; Had three known children:
            • William Randy Whittington, born Nov. 15, 1959; married Jean Elizabeth (Penny) Galloway, Dec. 28, 1980; last known living in Carrollton, GA where Randy works for Lowe's Companies. Had two known children:
              • William Christopher Whittington, married Kristen Whitley; Had one known child: William Camden.
              • Sarai Louise Whittington

            • Kandice Deanet Whittington, born July 29, 1961; married Brian Minton, May 5, 1984; Had two known children:
              • Meredith Brion Minton, married Taylor Glenn Hines; Had one known child: Harper Brion
              • Max Austin Minton

            • Sandra Elizabeth Whittington, born Oct. 14, 1964; married Frank Dempsey Faw, Jr; Sandra is a nurse at NC Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC; Had one known child: Trey Dempsey.

       • Odell Whittington, born July 14, 1895; died Dec. 2, 1989; married Edna Irene Whittington (b. Feb. 20, 1903), Dec. 25, 1921; Had three known children:
         1. Odell Whittington, Jr., born Oct. 6, 1922; died Oct. 29, 1989; married Grace Dean Rhodes (b. Mar. 23, 1926, d. Jan. 25, 2011), Aug. 17, 1944; Had two known children:
            • Richard "Dick" Odell Whittington, born Oct. 14, 1945; married Reba __?__.
            • Nancy Susan Whittington, born April 26, 1950; lives in North Wilkesboro, NC.

         2. John Allen Whittington, born Jan. 23, 1924; died Mar. 24, 1986; married Martha Shepherd, Dec. 28, 1957; Had two known children:
            • Sonja Teresa Whittington, born Nov. 21, 1958
            • Mark Allen Whittington, born April 7, 1966

         3. Van Hubert Whittington, born Jan. 6, 1927; married Maxine Sidden (b. Oct. 24, 1935), Nov. 20, 1960; Had three known children:
            • Tenna Van Whittington, born Feb. 4, 1962; married Glenn Pless (b. April 27, 1962).
            • Hugh Sidden Whittington, born Feb. 12, 1965
            • Regis Lynn Whittington, born June 28, 1971

       • Rev. Walter Whittington, born Sept. 30, 1897; married Grace Randolph; Had two known sons: James and Jack.

       • John Allen Whittington, born June 3, 1900; died Sept. 8, 1917.
       • Benjamin F. Whittington, born Oct. 18, 1902; died Mar. 19, 1936.
       • Claude L. Whittington, born Mar. 23, 1905; died in infancy.
       • Anna L. Whittington, born Jan. 13, 1908; married Harley Bumgarner; Had two known children:
         1. Mary Lizzie Bumgarner, married Charlie Liles.
         2. Mildred Bumgarner, married __?__ Whitener; Had two known children: Clyde and Cindy.

     • Henry Neil Vannoy, born Jan. 29, 1870; died June 9, 1909; married Sallie V. Colvard (b. Aug. 1, 1878), Mar. 24, 1901; Had four known chilren:
       • Pearl Thelma Vannoy, born April 28, 1902; died July 9, 1903.
       • Ora Elvira Vannoy, born May 9, 1904; died Jan. 15, 1950; unmarried.
       • Mabel L. Vannoy, born Dec. 21, 1906; died July 17, 1920.
       • Edgar Lewis Vannoy, born Jan. 25, 1909; died July 28, 1920.

     • Wiley J. Vannoy, born Nov. 4, 1871; died unmarried in Canada.

     • James F. (Dock) Vannoy, born Sept. 5, 1873; died Mar. 2, 1959; married Viola Minton (b. 1891, d. Feb. 20, 1974), Sept. 10, 1910; Had two known children:
       • Gwyn Vannoy, born May 12, 1913; married Belva Burlston (b. Nov. 10, 1912, d. Oct. 5, 1987), July 13, 1939.
       • Fred Vannoy, born Aug. 11, 1917; married Clara McNeil, Oct. 13, 1976.

     • Elizabeth (Lizzie) Vannoy, born May 13, 1876; married Charles H. Colvard (b. Jan 27, 1872, d. Nov. 28, 1938), June 16, 1897; For the descendants of this family, see Charles Hampton Colvard family above.

     • Thomas H. Vannoy, born Aug. 9, 1878; died July 13, 1923; married Mamie Calloway Cosby (b. Aug. 25, 1882, d. Mar. 24, 1951); Had two known children:
       • Mary Calloway Vannoy, born Oct. 26, 1919; died July 29, 1978; married Robert Birkland (b. Oct. 21, 1920; d. Dec. 5, 1975), Jan. 18, 1945 and settled in Oregon; Had one known child: Mary Calloway, born Nov. 2, 1950 and married Robert Thomas Baker.

       • Louise Burkett Vannoy, married A.S. Morrison and settled in Washington.

     • Dora E. Vannoy, born May 19, 1882; married Robert L. Miller (b. Sept. 1, 1875, d. June 14, 1959), Nov. 27, 1904; Family lived in New Mexico; Had five known children:
       • Bower Vannoy Miller, born Aug. 31, 1905; died Aug. 27, 1978; married Helen V. Mullen (b. Jan. 8, 1906, d. April 18, 1972), July 20, 1935; Had one known child:
         1. Helen Virginia Miller, born Jan. 22, 1937; married Jack Dudley, June 8, 1956; divorced Nov. 13, 1964; Had four known children:
            • Marilyn D. Dudley, born April 22, 1957
            • Ronald B. Dudley, born May 27, 1958; died Oct. 30, 1977
            • Steven J. Dudley, born Feb. 5, 1960; married/divorced Kathy Pelleteri; Had two known children: Daniel Bower, born Sept. 27, 1980, and Michael D., born Dec. 10, 1981.
            • David A. (Paucho) Dudley, born June 2, 1961; married Diane Herrea, May 2, 1987.

       • Effie May Miller, born Sept. 29, 1909; married Kenneth Berry (b. Nov. 18, 1909), Dec. 31, 1929; Had one known child:
         1. Kenneth O. Berry, born Oct. 30, 1933; married Carol Lee Graslie (b. Oct. 4, 1939), Aug. 3, 1963; Had two known children: David Miller, born Sept. 20, 1966, and Karen Lee, born Aug. 2, 1969.

       • Gladys L. Miller, born Aug. 19, 1913; married George Stallings (b. Nov. 11, 1906, d. April 2, 1964), Dec. 23, 1936; Had two known children:
         1. Louise Stallings, born July 31, 1941; married Paul Polizzotto; Had three known children: Pamela, born Nov. 10, 1975, Jennifer and Joseph, both born Sept. 19, 1977.
         2. Robert Stallings, born Mar. 1, 1944.

       • Robert L. Miller, Jr., born June 15, 1916; married Margaret Flak (b. Oct. 17, 1913, d. Sept. 15, 1978), Jan. 17, 1945..

       • Orville L. Miller, born July 29, 1922; married Allene Phillips.

       Had six known children by Mrs. Mary Mariah Whittington Vannoy

     • Roby Vannoy, born Aug. 14, 1886 (twin to Julia); died April 5, 1965; married 1st Ettie Kilby (b. Aug. 14, 1887, d. June 19, 1941), Aug. 14, 1907; married 2nd Mary Brown, Aug. 5, 1932; Had two known children by Ettie Kilby:
       • Ina Blanche Vannoy, born July 18, 1908; died Aug. 18, 1943; married Carl Minton, Aug. 21, 1925; Had one known child: Billy, born Aug. 22, 1930.

       • William Clifford Vannoy, born Nov. 27, 1911; married 1st Nina Taylor (b. Nov. 2, 1915, d. Feb. 7, 1962); married 2nd Annie Lee Adams, April 15, 1966. Had two known children:
         1. Harold Ross Vannoy, born Sept. 17, 1937; married Wilma Faye Owens, Dec. 6, 1956; Had five known children:
            • Harold Lewis, Vannoy, born Oct. 15, 1958
            • Michael Anthony Vannoy, born Oct. 30, 1957
            • Wilma Leigh Vannoy, born Sept. 20, 1960
            • Vicki Vannoy, born Dec. 30, 1964
            • Sheilah Ann Vannoy, born July 25, 1966

         2. Doris Vannoy, born Feb. 20, 1935; married 1st Robert N. Key, April 24, 1953; married 2nd Carl Johnson.

     • Julia Vannoy, born Aug. 14, 1886 (twin to Roby); died Mar. 16, 1978; married Walter Stanley Cox (b. Dec. 14, 1875, d. June 19, 1934), Nov. 15, 1905.

     • Sallie V. Vannoy, born June 19, 1889; married Charles E. Jenkins, Dec. 18, 1912; Had two known children:
       • Charles Edward Jenkins, Jr., born Sept. 14, 1914; married 1st Ella Joyner Brame, Sept. 15, 1938; married 2nd Reba Sparks, Oct. 26, 1946; married 3rd Alene Dean, April 19, 1952; married 4th Maxine Ball, June 10, 1979.

       • Lewis Hill Jenkins, born April 28, 1926; married 1st Lucile Russell, April 28, 1946; married 2nd Katie Carol Foster, Sept. 20, 1984; Had three known children by Lucile Russell:
         1. Mary Vannoy Jenkins, born July 27, 1952; married 1st David Eugene Snider, Oct. 11, 1971 and had twins Martha Vannoy and Mary Elizabeth, born Jan. 29, 1985; married 2nd Larry Paul Swiggett.

         2. Lewis Hill Jenkins, Jr., born Sept. 13, 1956
         3. Nancy Russell Jenkins, born Feb. 27, 1960; married Marcus Clay Dellinger, July 15, 1989.

     • Fannie Vannoy, born Oct. 11, 1891; died June 21, 1972; married Frank M. Alderfer (b. Dec. 31, 1892; d. May 2, 1987), Jan. 17, 1920; Had two known childre:
       • Garrett Miller Alderfer, born Sept. 25, 1928; died June 21, 2006; married Dorothea Scott (b. Oct. 13, 1928), July 4, 1948; Garrett established a group of six radio stations in North and South Carolina. In Asheville, NC, he was the President and CEO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce; Garrett is interred in the mausoleum at Greenhill Cemetery in Asheville, NC; Had five known children:
         1. JoAnn Aldefer, born Nov. 5, 1949; married Glen Waddell Hall (b. Jan. 24, 1940), May 17, 1980; Had three known chilren:
            • Thomas Stevenson Hall, born Mar. 31, 1982
            • Glen Forrester Hall, born Oct. 25, 1984
            • Phillip Andrew Hall, born Jan. 10, 1987

         2. Frank Scott Alderfer, born Aug. 20, 1954; married 1st Debra Varner, 1979; married 2nd Karen Lindstedt (b. Nov. 18, 1960), June 17, 1989; married 3rd Inna Pavshuk (b. July 10, 1974 in Volgograd, Russia), Feb. 14, 1999; Currently live in Oak Ridge, NC; Had one known child by Inna Pavshuk: Garrett Dylan, born Nov. 8, 2000.

         3. Mary Love Alderfer, born Sept. 4, 1956; married Douglas Ray Sullenberger (b. May 29, 1948), May 18, 1986; Had two known children:
            • Julia Katherine Sunllenberger, born April 13, 1987
            • Douglas Garrett Sullenberger, born Feb. 7, 1989

         4. John Van Alderfer, born Mar. 31, 1961 in Statesville, NC; married Bekki Brown; no children.

         5. Thomas Garrett Alderfer, born Feb. 27, 1963; married Maggie Fontaine (b. Mar. 20, 1955), Nov. 20, 1993; live in Asheville, NC; Had two known children: Andrew Thomas, born Feb. 27, 1994, and Wesley Garrett, born July 3, 1995.

       • Milton Cross Alderfer, born Jan. 8, 1934; married 1st Doris Dean, June, 1960; married 2nd Karin __?__; Milton and Karin live in Key Largo. They are both professors at Miami Dade Union College; Had one adopted child: Christy.

     • Minnie Hatfield Vannoy, born Mar. 22, 1893; died Dec. 16, 1977; married Dolphus Turner Trivette (b. Mar. 8, 1891, d. Feb. 22, 1970); Had one known child:
       • Eleanor Trivette, born Aug. 23, 1919; married William R. Kuenzel, Sept. 9, 1939; Had two known children:
         1. Diane Eleanor Kuenzel, born May 13, 1942; married Robert T. Clark, June 6, 1964; Had two known children: Bob Clark, born Dec. 15, 1964, and Mark Clark, born July 1, 1969.

         2. William Trivette Kuenzel, born Dec. 6, 1945; maried Susan Alene Nixon, April 13, 1974; Had two known children: Will, born Oct. 4, 1980, and Cody, born Feb. 18, 1984.

     • Ethel Vannoy, born Nov. 17, 1896; died Feb. 18, 1988; married Dr. Eugene James Moore, Sr. (b. April 29, 1898, d. Mar. 10, 1937), June 24, 1924; Had one known child:
       • Eugene James Moore, Jr., born July 17, 1926; married Theda Clarine Holder (b. July 7, 1935), June 7, 1958; Had two known children:
         1. James Charles Moore, born Nov. 29, 1960

         2. Jean Constance Moore, born Mar. 21, 1963; married Joseph Gerald Stinebaker (b. Dec. 10, 1960), April 9, 1988.

7. Nathaniel Vannoy, born Feb. 8, 1794; died Aug. 5, 1852 of typhoid fever in Casey Co., KY; married 1st Fanny Owens, Jan. 7, 1814 in Wilkes Co., NC; married 2nd Mary 'Polly" Halsey, Dec. 29, 1819 in Grayson Co., VA; Nathaniel received a grant of land in Casey County, KY in 1845. Five known children:
   • James Preston Vannoy, born ca. 1820; died in Alleghany Co., NC before 1880; married Elizabeth Long (b. 1818), Mar. 28, 1841 in Ashe Co., NC; Had three known children:
     • John Vannoy, born 1845
     • Weldon Vannoy, born 1851
     • Levi Vannoy, born 1856

   • William Vannoy
   • Sarah Jane Vannoy
   • Margaret Vannoy
   • Rhoda Ann Vannoy

8. Mary 'Polly' Vannoy, born April 7, 1796; died Mar. 15, 1874; married Rev. John Owens (b. Mar. 8, 1794, d. Jan. 4, 1859), Nov. 3, 1815; John and Mary reared a family in the McGrady section of Wilkes County, NC. John (and possibly Mary) is buried in the Taylor Family Cemetery on the west side of NC Hwy 18 at the intersection with SR1575. Had at least one known child:
   • Jesse Franklin Owens, married Elizabeth Long (b. Jan. 12, 1835) in 1855.

9. Susannah Vannoy, born Sep. 22, 1799; died Nov. 23, 1871; married Rev. Tobias Long, Feb. 14, 1849; Tobias and Susannah apparently never had any children. However, Tobias had 12 children by his first wife, Frances Stamper (d. 1935).

10. Elizabeth "Betsy" Vannoy, born April 11, 1804; died October, 1837; married Presley Brown (b. April 26, 1801, d. Dec. 12, 1883), Feb. 12, 1823; Presley settled near the Mulberry Post Office in Wilkes County, NC and accumulated extensive land holdings. He was also a school teacher. Had two known children:
    • Susan Brown, born Dec. 1, 1828; died July 13, 1914
    • John Milton Brown, married Pheroby Joines (b. Oct. 2, 1830, d. Dec. 29, 1910)

Along with information from the normal genealogical sources (Census Records, History Books, Cemetery Records, etc.) the following people have contributed family history information and/or photos presented on this page. If you have information/photos on the descendants of Andrew Vannoy, and would like to see your family history added to this page, send an email to author@reddiesrivershepherds.com

James Vannoy - Cliff Cantrell (Photo of Lewis Wentfield & Mary Whittington Vannoy)