Elvis' Kin Share Their Memories of Elvis...

Many of us knew and loved Elvis. Not all of us were found spending days at Graceland for many lived a good distance away and were not able to enjoy such pleasures outside of their own home lives. Still, Elvis somehow found kinfolk across the miles and kept in touch on a regular basis, when he could. Others spent alot of time at Graceland, and with Elvis in person, and following are some of those stories we, gladly, share with you.

Mackey Hargett grew up in Mississippi around the Presley families. His mother, Lillian, was a first cousin of Vernon Presley. Sadly, Mackey had lost his dad, Tearsie Edward Hargett, during WWII. Tearsie, in the armored division, was killed in action in France, remains never returned. Not only did Mackey lose his father, he had never met, or knew, his father, a scar that has never healed with time. For Tearsie, away in a foreign land during the birth of his only son and child, it must have been very difficult missing out. Surely, he could not wait to return home to hold his infant son in his arms, but, sadly, that day never came.

In the sixties, Mackey's mother decided to pay a visit to her cousins at Graceland and she took Mackey along. A new world opened up at that time for a young Mackey, and he began to frequent Graceland, meeting Elvis and other family members, but, especially, becoming attached to Vernon whom had become a father-figure to him.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, and here are a few, copyrighted images of Mackey Hargett depicting his days at Graceland. Following are some of Mackey's remembrances of Graceland, Vernon, and Elvis.

"I remember the night I went with Elvis, Priscilla, and others to the movies. Elvis sometimes rented the Memphian during off-peak hours. He was even nervous sitting down! He would cross his leg then shake his foot...and again..." - Elvis' cousin, Mackey Hargett

Mackey's Tribute to Vernon, and the Truth About Rosella Presley...

Over the years, Vernon had stood in the background of his son's life, often misunderstood because of his actions during a time when poverty created necessities, both good and bad, for struggling families. In his own special way, Vernon was a generous man and a doting father. He and Mackey spent quite a bit of time together at Graceland. Mackey has nothing but kind words to share about Vernon, and he also wanted to do something special for the man who became like a second father to him. Thus, Mackey decided to create a lasting tribute to Vernon Presley.

(Mackey, with sign he had made, at Vernon's birthplace)

Mackey wanted to share his many wonderful memories with family members and Elvis' fans, including the special tribute he planned and designed for Vernon Presley which is located at the site of Vernon's birthplace (house no longer there) in Mississippi. Mackey's story not only details the experience involved in creating such a tribute, but, in addition, brings new light, and truth, to the age-old mystery of Rosella Presley. Mackey's story became a wonderful book, as told to Julian C. Riley, called "The Roots of Elvis Presley." TheThe Kin of Rock and Roll was the first to present Mackey's story, for years hidden from public view because of a promise made and kept.