Everyday Angels

Happy New Year! A new year brings new resolutions — a thoughtful journal of our goals, hopes and dreams for the year ahead in an attempt to control the outcome. This month’s story serves as a reminder that despite our best-laid plans, our lives instantly can change course.

Each day is a gift that we should never take for granted.

It was a Saturday in October before Halloween. Stacie Humphries, 36, had taken her three children to spend the night with their grandparents and had planned a much-needed evening with her girlfriends. It was the first time she had left her baby since he was born the previous November. Her husband, Preston, manager of the Cheesecake Factory, Perimeter, was working his late shift and meeting her at home later that evening. He texted her when he was leaving work and when he got home. Stacie had not yet arrived, so he waited. After a while, he decided to check their tracking app and noticed that she had left and was on her way; however, there was no movement. He watched and waited and tried calling her phone several times. There was no answer. Concerned, he decided he would go to that location. When he put the coordinates in his map app, it showed the color red, indicating that traffic had stopped. When his calls and texts were unanswered, he called 911 while driving to her location. He explained what he was seeing and that she wasn’t responding to calls. As he approached the location, the road was blocked. Helpless and worried, he sat and waited until a police car stopped beside him. “They got out and approached my car. They asked my name and told me that my wife didn’t make it,” Preston said.

Devastated and heartbroken, Preston was faced with informing their families and their children. “It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I pulled from all of the lessons Stacie had taught me over the years for the difficult days that followed. She was always so strong and has taught me so much,” Preston said.

Stacie tragically passed away that night from injuries sustained in a single car accident, leaving Preston, her husband of 12 years, and their three children, Tristan, 8, Ashby, 6, and Adrian, 11 months, to navigate life without her.

Stacie was a graduate of Kennesaw State University, where she studied early childhood education. She was a teacher before devoting herself full time to her children. Her favorite role was being a mother and pouring herself into her family, friends and community. Stacie touched the lives of so many in her short 36 years. She was a bright light, and anyone who knew her, loved her.

“I am grateful for a lot of things in my life, but, this year, I wanted to give thanks for time. I wanted to thank God for the 18 years he gave me with Stacie. I am thankful for the late nights/early mornings we had with the kids, our family vacations and our phone calls. I am thankful for all the time we had laughing, loving, fighting and arguing. I am thankful for all the time Stacie poured into me to make me a better person, husband and father. I wish I had more time with her. Be thankful and appreciative of your time. Don’t waste a second; forever is not long enough,” Preston said. “Our life will forever be different, but I know I have the best support system in the world. I am thankful for the love and support of our family and friends.”

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the Humphries family. Preston is now filling the roles of mom and dad, as well as provider for his three children. Everyday Angels will accept donations in support of this precious family; 100% of what’s given will go to the family.

Stacie and Preston Humphries, on a 2021 vacation with their children Tristan, Ashby and Adrian.

Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal, or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in our community, email aaeverydayangels@gmail.com.