Mary Rae Preston

and Edgar Leon Yeley. She was the middle child of three, which included her sister, Peggy

Joyce and her brother, Edgar Leon Jr. She married Robert Preston on January 6, 1969 in

Columbus, Georgia. They were married for 51 years until her death on October 11, 2020. She

had two children: a daughter, Shanna Renee Preston - Martinez married to David Martinez, and

a son, Jason Preston married to Katie Rae Preston. She had five grandchildren, Jacquelyn

Renee Martinez, David Daniel Martinez, Micheal Daniel Martinez, Georgia Rae Preston, and

Robert Ellis Preston.

Mary Rae married Robert at the age of 27 years old. She was a devoted and affectionate

wife. She believed in him and fully supported all of his successful business endeavors. They

maintained a lifelong love for one another. Robert showed great strength and courage while

caring for her during her illness up until her last breath. His simple words of, “I’m going to miss

her” is a true testament of their everlasting bond and friendship.

Mary Rae dearly loved having a daughter and son. She provided encouraging words to

Shanna and Jason to complete college degrees. They both made her proud on the days they

graduated from their choice of University. She was proud that her daughter and son had married

wonderful people. She did not have to worry about her children being alone. They had found a

precious gift in their “soulmates” just as she did with her husband.

Mary Rae loved to shower all of her five grandchildren with hugs, kisses, gifts and

sweets. One of her specialties was cooking and feeding her family. She enjoyed serving them

food that she made with love. Everyone especially enjoyed her baked ham covered with brown

sugar and Coca-Cola. A bite of ham would melt in your mouth!

She loved her cat of twelve years named Snow. He would follow her around the house,

they were two peas in a pod. She took great pleasure in feeding animals and wild deer. The

deer would show up daily at sunset to be fed. You would look out and see ten to twelve deer

standing and waiting for her to pour corn on the porch. She would even feed a few of them

carrots by hand. It looked like a scene from the movie Snow White, and she really was a Disney

Princess.

Mary Rae was a wonderful daughter and sister. She took care of both of her parents as

they became ill before they passed away. She always looked out for and cared for her sister,

Peggy Joyce. They were very close, she would call her “sis”. The same name that her father

called her many years ago.

Mary Rae led by example how to care for and love your family. She always advocated

that family came first. Love each other during the good times and even more so during the bad

times. Never give up on your family. She always saw the good in people and expected good

things to happen. She will be missed greatly.