Tennessee- Finding your Southern Roots.....

Chet had another conference in the beginning of June in Memphis.  His Dad's family is from Tennessee, so we decided to take a road trip to Cooke County, Tennessee to find graves of his ancestors. What a cool place to visit and learn about the Loftis' and see their homeland.  They came to Tennessee around 1800 from South Carolina via the Northeast via Ireland. Traveling the country roads and finding a family cemetery along the way was cool! The Loftis name is as common as Smiths are in Utah. No JOKE!

 Laban Loftis (no pun intended) came to Tennessee from South Carolina.

 Visiting the Old Mat Loftis Cemetery, hidden on a hill in the middle of nowhere.  I had to use some mad navigating skills to locate it. But we did it. It was a very spiritual spot. Almost a sacred memory of Loftis' before us. It was a special experience.

 Hanging out in Memphis for Chet's conference

 Tennessee State Capital

 Never been much for Andrew Jackson and apparently his wife was not much for politics. She died just prior to him taking office. He felt it was from the negative things that were said about his family. His politics were a bit messed up, but I liked this quote by Rachel Jackson;

"I'd rather be a door keeper in the house of God than to live in that palace in Washington."

Good on you Rachel! Me too!!

 Memphis is a loud place. The old section downtown is a place where would be country musicians can come to perform. They perform all day and all night. Our room was just above Honky Tonk Central and I literally heard music until 4 a.m.

Beautiful sunset just past all of the State buildings.