Obituary of Elijah Presnell

Elijah Presnell, 58, of Vilas, was suddenly called home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on the evening of April 6, 2012. He was a loving husband, father, and papaw who will be greatly missed by his family. We would like to celebrate his life and legacy as described by those who know and loved him as he loved us. Elijah was a kind, compassionate, and loving husband to his wife, Linda, for 39 years. They were high-school sweethearts who carried that love throughout their life together. They enjoyed each others company and enjoyed many trips to their beloved little beach home over the last eleven years. Both Elijah and Linda retired after many years of hard work and were able to enjoy every moment of the last couple of years together. Elijah, the father, was a hard working man who was given nothing, but made himself very successful through hard work and perseverance. He taught his daughters to be successful persons who are capable of achieving great things. He taught his son-in-laws what it meant to be a God-Fearing leader of a family. Elijah, the papaw, was the doting man who adored each of his grandchildren. He has watched each one of them grow to be confident in their abilities, and to strive to be like their papaw. There were few events that Papaw was more proud of than the upcoming baptism of three of his grandchildren. Elijah, the rock of our family, was a man who inspired each and every one of us in so many different ways. He was a man who was not ashamed of his faith in Jesus Christ and showed it in every manner of his life. He did not know a stranger, and his faith and beliefs could be seen by anyone willing to look. He was a faithful member of Beech Valley Baptist Church for 36 years, and served as a deacon and clerk for most of those years. Elijah, we will all miss you, but we know the Lord will not put more upon us than we can bear, yet it still does not make it easier to live without you. You will be missed, but because of your steadfast faith, we all know that we will see each other again. Elijah is survived by his wife, Linda Hartley Presnell; three daughters, Michele Adams and husband Jason, of Hudson, Angela Mercer of Hudson and son-in-law, Jeff Mercer of Matthews, and Melissa Hicks and husband, Doug, of Vilas; six grandchildren, Emma, Jacob, and Joshua Adams, Daniel and Mason Mercer, and Sidney Hicks; brother, Alvin Presnell and wife, Rebecca, of Butler, TN; and sisters, Shirley Richardson and husband, David, of Vilas, and Kathy Dayton, of Fleetwood. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, Craft and Delphia Presnell, and one brother, Benny Dean Presnell. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, April 11, ,2012, at 2 o'clock at Beech Valley Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Josh Hamby and Rev. Bill Warren. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 o'clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the Presnell residence, 627 Love Hollow Road in Vilas. Online condolences may be sent to the family at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Presnell family.