This gracious Southern lady, who loved the color orange and wore it proudly in support of the Tennessee Volunteers, lived life to the fullest. She had the kindest set of eyes and a sweet spirit in her voice. Hundreds of elementary school kids benefitted from that spirit during her career in education. A cook? You bet! She kept four kids, a hungry preacher, and countless others well fed for decades. And don't get me started on her musical talents. No one has ever played Rocky Top on the piano like her...the ivory keys danced with delight as she played the Volunteer anthem.
"Momma Laura" visited all 50 states and almost every continent. Always looking forward to her next trip no matter the destination, she was on a quest to experience the beauty and diversity of this world. Now, Anna is following in those footsteps all over the planet.
Although she rarely sat in front of the computer, "Momma Laura" actually came up with the idea for the photo blog you are now viewing. In a conversation last Fall after the Anna / Dr Pepper Can came out, I mentioned taking photos of the "Anna Can" in my travels and putting them in a photo book. "Or," Laura said, "you could put them on the computer". At that moment the Anna Across America tour was born.
"Momma Laura", who kept the Anna / Dr Pepper can within arm's length of her favorite chair, would tell us to press on with the tour for there are other trips to make and to document. And we will finish, albeit with a profound sense of loss.
While we say farewell to this wonderful matriarch of the "Anna Nation", there is comfort in knowing her gracious spirit will continue to bless the lives of those she touched.
"Momma Laura" loved people so naturally, so easily.
May we all learn from her example.
MRG