The two strong correlations for strokes are age and race. The older you are, the more likely you are to have a stroke. Also, blacks tend to have more strokes than whites.
I found no published correlation between stroke rates and the consumption of southern cooking; if anyone does find anything, please post it, especially if it has an age and race breakdown.
Fat causes strokes by (a) building up on artery walls, and (b) causing us to become overweight which in turn stresses all other bodily systems and causes hypertension.
Fat causes strokes folks.
Sorry, there's no way around it.
Cross reference obesity and stroke risk, then check to see which states have the rates of obesity. I think you're answer will then become apparent.