Lanna Thomas Wills

The following information was researched by Ria Baker, the daughter of one of the descendants of Lanna's parents, John J. Wills and Sophronia Smith Deadmon. Ria has published a genealogy book on the Wills family and has much additional information on the ancestors and descendants of John and Sophronia Wills.This information is presented here with Ria's permission and is believed to be accurate.

Lanna Thomas Wills was the fourth child of John J. Wills and Sophronia Smith Deadmon. Lanna was born on June 18, 1882 in Smith County and died on July 7, 1964 in Nashville, Tennessee. She married Robert Franklin Sykes on February 24, 1901 in Smith County. Robert was born on October 12, 1877 in Smith County and died on February 11, 1965 in Nashville, Tennessee.

John J. Wills was the son of Edward R. Wills and Elizabeth Finn Reasonover. John was born on September 2, 1846 in Smith County and died on February 15, 1910 in Smith County. John married Sophronia Smith Deadmon on September 15, 1874 in Smith County. Sophronia was born on July 8, 1857 in Smith County and died on January 8, 1928 in Smith County. Her parents were John Deadmon and Elizabeth Smith.

Edward R. Wills was the son of James Wills and Mary Robinson. Edward was born before 1775 in Ireland. Mary was born in about 1777 in Cumberland County, Virginia and died in November, 1840 in Smith County. Mary “Polly” Robinson was the daughter of Stephen Robinson and Elizabeth (Betsy) Holland. James Wills parents are unknown.

Lanna Thomas Wills had seven brothers and sisters.

Robert Doss Wills was born on September 16, 1875 and died on April 13, 1934. He married Novella Ann Mason on October 8, 1899.

Jesse M. Wills was born on February 10, 1878. No additional information is available.

Charles Andrew Wills was born on April 9, 1880 and died on December 9, 1945. He married Cornelia Lee Wright on August 11, 1909.

Selena Ethel Wills was born on August 13, 1884 and died on March 22, 1977. She married Arthur Emery Baskin in March 1923.

Ollie Lee Wills was born on September 9, 1887 and died on December 13, 1949. He married Beulah Lee Granstaff on June 3, 1923.

Willie Adeline Wills was born on June 24, 1892 and died on January 24, 1948. She married James Herbert Granstaff.

Laura Arizona Wills was born on September 17, 1898 and died on March 12, 1990. She married Johnnie D. Malone on October 27, 1924.

Comments or Questions: Jim Sykes

Updated April 2007