Besthoff family tomb, near the "new" main entrance to Metairie Cemetery, arguably the cemetery with the wealthiest and most elaborate tombs in New Orleans.

(detail and history below the fold)

(clicky the image for a larger version)

Copeland family tomb, located at the "modern" entrance to Metairie Cemetery.

Al Copeland, of Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken, passed yesterday.  Copeland was from Da Channel and later Arabi.  His original chicken shop, "Chicken on the Run" opened in Arabi in 1971.  That became Popeyes, and by 1977, he was franchising the concept.

The Rogers-Palfrey-Brewster-Stilwell Cross (west face), in Metairie Cemetery.

I was driving past Metairie Cemetery yesterday, and it occurred to me that most people only see this cross from the highway.  Metairie Cemetery was originally built on the western bank of the New Basin Canal.  The canal was filled in around 1947, and replaced by the "Pontchartrain Expressway," which connected West End Boulevard with downtown.  It's since become part of I-10, so thousands of people drive right by it every day.  But they only see the side of the cross that faces the highway, and this particular monument is rich with symbolism on all sides.  So, here's the western side of cross, what you see when you're standing inside the cemetery, looking east. (Photo below the fold)