Daughter of Archibald and Letta (Lettye) Cashion who migrated from Virginia to North Carolina where Avis was born in 1817 (census records).

It unknown if the family resided in North Carolina for a period of time, or if they passed through in their migration to Tennessee.

By 1820, her family had established themselves in Lincoln County, Tennessee. According to historical accounts, the first white settlers in Tennessee were primarily from the back country of Virginia and North Carolina.

1820 Census - Lincoln, TN

Archibald Cashion - Head
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 4
Free White Persons - Over 25: 1
Total Free White Persons: 6
Total Persons - White/Slaves/Colored/Other: 6

1830 Census - Lincoln, TN

Archibald Cashion - Head
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 3
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total Persons - White/Slaves/Colored: 10

Avis became the wife of John Henry Templeton, married November 9, 1837 in Lincoln County, Tennessee where they established their home and her husband milled and farmed.

From their union, at least seven children were born: Sarah Emeline, James Palis, Mary Elizabeth, Robert, William Eaton, Abner McConnell, Nancy Jane, and John Rufus Templeton.

1850 Census - Subdivision 2, Lincoln Co., TN

John H Templeton 38 - miller - b. NC
Whitty Templeton 34 - b. NC
Sarah E Templeton 12
James A Templeton 10
Mary Templeton 8
Robert W Templeton 6
Wm E Templeton 4
Abner M C L Templeton 0

Avis lost both parents between 1860 and 1870. Both were enumerated in the 1860 census of Lincoln County, Tennessee where they lived the remainder of their years.

1860 Census - District 25, Lincoln Co., TN
Post Office, Georges Store

John H Templeton 50 - farmer - b. NC
Whittie Templeton 40 - b. NC
Mary Templeton 17 - seamstress
Robert Templeton 16 - farmer
William Templeton 14
Abner Templeton 12
Nancy Templeton 8
Rufus Templeton 1

Her husband passed in 1877, in Tennessee. After his death, Avis removed from Tennessee to Sebastian County, Arkansas as did the majority of her children.

Avis died in 1881 and is buried at Steep Hill Cemetery.