Murphy Kristin Cooper, wife of North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, added three counties to her goal of visiting all 100 in the state, including Cherokee County on Friday.
Cooper, who is referred to as North Carolina’s first lady, stopped at Murphy Town Hall on Friday afternoon before embarking on a walking town of downtown. She was greeted by Mayor Tim Radford, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce representatives and town officials.
A potluck spread with contributions from local restaurants was laid out on the same table where the Murphy Town Council meets. Cooper, who was born in Oklahoma before moving to North Carolina and marrying Cooper, surveyed the table and selected a piece of fried pork rind before continuing to meet with local dignitaries.
The entourage visited several sites in Murphy, including the Cherokee County Historical Museum, Olive’s Porch and the Cherokee County Arts Council.
Cooper visited Graham and Swain counties on Thursday, and Clay and Macon counties on Wednesday. Her goal to visit all the state’s counties was delayed by COVID-19, but she has managed to visit more than 90 counties before and after the pandemic.
Cooper was given a gift basket and a blanket depicting Cherokee County’s historic buildings during her visit to Murphy. Cooper said she enjoyed her visit to Murphy as part of her tour, calling it a pleasant experience.
“Some counties you really have to dig to find something,” she said.
Cooper said her tour enables her to hear what happens outside Raleigh.