Person:Tennessee Whittaker (1)

Tennessee, Arthur and Zettie's youngest child, as has been stated before, was a sufferer all her short life. But she shed lots of sunshine in her home and among her many friends. When the writer made a visit to Arthur's home, Tennie would come to the door with her sweet smile and a kind word. On account of poor health, Tennie had to forego many pleasures of the boys and girls of her age. She had a few boyfriends, but no romance in her life. She took several trips to Ogden to visit her Aunt Tennie Frutz and family. At one time she went with a party of friends and relatives to visit her father's sister Louie Cheney in Cardston Canada. When they returned, her cousin Meldra Cheney came home with them. Meldra and Tenny had so much fun that summer, it was one of the bright spots in her life.The summer of 1936 could have been too stressfull for Tenny, for she seemed to feel exceptionally good. She and Meldra were always on the go doing things and having so much fun. After Meldra returned home, Tenny seemed to be so tired and lost her pep--until along in December she grew very ill. Her parents and brothers, sisters, and friends seemed to realize that Tenny was going to leave us. She herself told her beloved mother that she was going to leave her and told her mother what to do with some of her personal belongings. She told her mother to give some of her lovely dresses to different girlfriends. The good doctors used their best skill to save this precious young girl. The faithful parents called upon God tos pare her a few years longer that they might enjoy Tennie's presence in their home. But it all failed, for God had a work for her to do in another sphere.One day Dr. McQuarrie called to see her in Circleville. He examined her and then told her mother that it was best to take her to the Richfield Hospital, so he could watch her and be able to giver her better attention. The parents did as the doctor requested. And Tennie left her lovely home and journeyed to the hospital; however, she did not seem to improve but rather remained about the same. On 19 January 1937 the mother was in need of refreshment, so she left to go over to her sister Refta's [p154] home for lunch. She had just arrived when the phone rang, and the voice said, "Mrs. Whittaker, come quick. Tennie is not so good." And Tennie said, "Hurry back, Mama." These were Tennie's last words to her beloved mother. For when Zettie got back to the hospital, Tennie had left this world. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [pp154-155 unclear lines] p156where the grave and contents were dedicated to the Lord, asking Him to watch over it untill the Resurrection Morn when Tennie will come forth crowned with glory and eternal life. Loved ones silently lowered the remains into Mother Earth, for Christ says, "Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return". (spoken of the body but not of the spirit) She lies on the hillside over-looking the little town where she spent all her short life. Her parents erected a beautiful monument of granite, sacred to the memory of Tennessee Whittaker.

My Tennessee

God took the sunshine from the sky And made the lovelight in your eyes. From honeyed flowers, he took the dew And made your tears, so pearly true. Upon a rock, he built your faith With angels' prayers, he gave you breath. And with His love made you divine, And best of all, He made you mine.

1.   Julia M. Bowman.