Presley Keegan Edmunds

Late Wednesday evening on April 22, 2020, Presley Keegan Edmunds, the precious daughter of Roderick Keith Edmunds and Andrea Flanagan Edmunds, passed away at the age of 17 ½ years old.

Presley was born in Athens, Georgia on September 4, 2002. Due to complications, Presley was delivered not breathing. As a result, doctors doubted that she would even live for one hour. Miraculously and because God had a plan and a purpose for her life, she survived, however, with many medical issues. As a result, Presley could not walk or talk, and she was overall severely developmentally delayed. This diagnosis opened up a community of people that many are not blessed to be a part of, specifically those involved with Extra Special People as participants or volunteers. Their love and support has been wonderful.

Some may believe that Presley should have been pitied or, worse still, that she had a poor quality of life due to her disabilities. Her mother, for one, knew that Presley had far more happy days than hard ones, so her quality of life was great. This was evident in her radiant smile and twinkling laughter. Presley’s joy became known around 8-9 months old by the sheer cleverness of her grandaddy when he clapped his hands for her one day. This sparked an understanding that Presley loved and deserved applause. We clapped, and she smiled and giggled for many years, much to our delight!

Presley’s birth was followed by her younger brothers, Landry and McCoy, now 14 and 12 respectively. What a blessing her brothers were to her! From opening doors, wiping her face, pushing her in the wheelchair, checking on her when she coughed, babysitting while their mom ran errands, putting her bath chair in the tub, and eventually, when they outgrew her, to holding her and picking her up, these brothers helped take great care of her. Landry and McCoy were always understanding when they were limited in what they could do or where they could go as a family, because of Presley. They were absolutely amazing brothers to their “Sissy,” and she loved them immensely.

Presley loved much. She loved music and being sung to, she enjoyed fancy flavored lip balm and had every flavor under the sun from sweet tea to blue raspberry.  She relished bathtime and getting pampered with lotion and massages. Presley also loved her friends at school. She attended many throughout her life: Oconee Primary, Malcom Bridge Elementary, and finally North Oconee High. At them all, she met children that grew to know and love her in spite of their differences. She was crazy about Adaptive P.E., where she had able-bodied kids as her buddies each day to help her participate and experience jump rope, bowling, and all sorts of activities. Presley loved her classmates and her amazing teachers and therapists. And, boy, did people love Presley!

To know her was to love her. She was everybody’s girl: Daddy’s baby, Grandaddy’s girl, Grandmama’s doll baby, Nanny’s sugar-foot, Mama Connie’s princess...but, most of all she was Mama’s girl.  There’s nothing in this world like a mother’s love for their child, yet it pales in comparison to God’s love. We believe God’s plan and purpose for Presley was to draw people closer to Him. At birth, her family clung to the Lord and trusted Him, praying for life and not death. Throughout her years, her family drew closer still to Him, knowing that only by His grace and mercy were they able to function. Throughout the last week of her life, it was God’s desire to remind us all of His deep and abiding love and His promises to protect and provide peace that surpasses all understanding.  Even at her sickest and when her little life was leaving her precious little body, God was lovingly present throughout.

It is her family’s hope that Presley’s life’s legacy is the testimony of God’s unwavering love. May the inspiration of their faith in Him truly draw you close to the Lord Jesus Christ. His arms are open wide, ready to receive you just as you are right now. Oh, the joy to share, knowing that Presley would have a part in that!

In lieu of cut flowers, the family would prefer potted flowers/plants to create a garden at her home in Presley’s memory. They can be delivered to her mother at 1691 Union Church Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677.

Donations in her memory may also be given to her precious church, Rays United Methodist at 1521 Rays Church Rd, Bishop, GA 30621.