The Kennedy family, including Kathleen,Cary, and son Andy, made a remarkable pilgramage you might say to see family members in Memphis and Stuart County Jan 2003. It was a chance to see Aunt Letisha who I haven't visited with in nearly 30 years and a visit with Aunt Nancy since the early 90s. First stop was with my dad in Stuart County on Leatherwood Creek , the old family farm that my father enjoyed many boyhood summers back in the late 20's and 30's. My dad has a second home across the creek from the ancient home of the Sykes family: my father is clearly attached to this remote area and he shared many of sights in the hollow, including the old furnace site, where pig iron was manufactured, and was operated by Andrew Adams in the late 19th century--source of the middle name "Andrew" in the Cary Kennedy line. We saw the old pumpking field and site of an ancient indian mound that my father recovered lots of stone work from in the 30's. The old home of the Sykes was occupied up until the 1970's by Clara Sykes--the original log cabin contained in the structure goes back to well into the 19th century. Dad showed us where the old road followed the creek bed , the hog enclosure, the old barn, still standing and in use. My father's spirit is tied closely to this place and the memories it holds for him and I felt the spirits move me too. Glad we came.
We spent two nights with my dad then headed on down the road to Covington to receive outstanding hospitality from my first cousin, Roger Ganier and Gail. Met Alex their son and , also, we took a quick trip into Memphis to see the Haygoods, Letisha, Twink, and daughter Julia. Excellent dinner. I can go on but it was indeed a family journey we all enjoyed.
Dad in front of the old Sykes barn
Dad and Kathleen in the church cemetary where my dad's grandfather and great grandfather and great grandmother are at rest
Dad in front of the Sykes Barn
Grave marker for Dad's grandfather who died of typhoid fever while working in the timber business in near Memphis
Grave marker for my dad's great grandfather and grandmother
Home of Harry and Clara Sykes that my dad spent many happy summers during the Great Depression
Home of Cary and Virgie Kennedy,dads parents, during 40s thru 60s
Lillian Haygood's "Bene", home she lived in during the 30's to the 70's
Back to Kennedy family alblum
