Merrelyn (Maddox) Presgraves

Merrelyn Maddox Presgraves, 92, of Lula, formerly of New Holland, passed away peacefully at her residence, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 2:00pm - 4:00pm, and 5:00pm - 8:00pm at Memorial Park South Funeral Home in Flowery Branch. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 2:00pm, at the New Haven Congregational Holiness Church, located at 615 White Sulphur Road, Gainesville, with Rev.  Bobby Griffin, Rev. Ron Grizzle and Ken Ausborn officiating. Ms. Presgraves will lie in state at the church on the day of the service, from 12:00pm until 2:00pm. Interment will follow at Memorial Park South Cemetery. 

She was born on April 8, 1933 in Gainesville, Georgia to the late Toliver Maddox and Mary Ann Seay, and was retired from Wal-Mart where she was employed as a Customer Service Manager. 

Merrelyn married the love of her life, Rev. John Presgraves, in 1951. Together they raised their children the best they knew how, instilling in them Christian values and faith. As a pastors wife, she stood by her husband’s side faithfully for 58 years until his death in 2010. She was a faithful member of the New Haven Congregational Holiness Church.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Jack Maddox, Eloise Maddox and Jimmy Maddox, and her great-granddaughter, Gillian Manus. 

She is survived by her children, Gary (Joann) Presgraves of Flowery Branch; Shane (Holly) Presgraves, of Lula, her grandchildren, Amanda, Marty, Donavon, Chloe, Ethan, Evan, Kayla and Megan, along with her 14 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives. 

The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center for their compassion and care, especially Kerry and Silvia.

For those who desire, donations in her memory can be made to the Gainesville Hall Community Food Pantry.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542. Send on-line condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com

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