Help Michael Pulley's Family
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MICHAEL ANTHONY PULLEY
AUGUST 6, 1997 – MARCH 28, 2021
FMF: Forever My Family
March 28, 2021, my entire life changed. I lost my younger son, Michael Pulley to an apparent suicide.
Michael was just 23 and just beginning life. Michael attended Baily Middle School and graduated from Hough High School. After a year at CPCC, he transferred to Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. Afterward, Michael moved home. A member of the Charlotte-based group FMF (Forever My Family), Michael was known for his wit, basketball and football skills, and being all-around hilarious bringing light to any situation. He also turned DoorDash into a verb and “Doordashed” scientifically-truly.
“That Day”
When my phone rang early March 28, 2021, I knew something drastic had happened as our older son, Alex, told me what detectives say happened. Suicide? We all rushed to Atrium Health Main-to the eleventh floor. I was met by my older son and nurses as he and his father arrived before I did. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to witness. Michael was on life support but his heart still beat on its own. Physicians met with us and told us that soon his body would become very “sick” as his organs shut down. When his heart stopped, I had to make the final decision not to resuscitate. I wanted a miracle but it did not come in the way I had hoped.
Michael passed away quietly around 9:00 A.M. on March 28, 2021.
This tragedy has shaken me and my family and loved ones to the core. However, knowing my baby boy was an organ donor and would save the lives of others, gives my family, his friends, and me some comfort.
It was a shock to all that knew Michael as news spread of his death. On April 2, 2021, many friends, family, and loved ones held a vigil to celebrate who Michael was as a young man. He loved his older brother, Alex, and his little sisters, Elle and Georgia. He absolutely adored his little nephew, Maddox, and children in general as he worked at the YMCA at Lake Norman in Cornelius/Davidson, North Carolina while still in high school. He coached and refereed for soccer and basketball games.
“The Aftermath”
As we made final arrangements, someone anonymously paid for Michael’s home-going service in full. This was a miracle in itself.
I ask and pray for another.
As I grieve and complete Michael’s final affairs, I have run into a financial struggle. As an employee of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, I had purchased life insurance for both of my children years ago never expecting to seek it for either of them. After Michael’s death, I contacted the school system to report a “life event.” This process includes changing dependent paperwork, filing for life insurance, etc. In short, I was denied the life insurance as I was told I could not receive the benefit because I was on medical leave when Michael’s death occurred. I wish to fight this, even if I only recover the premiums paid while I was on medical leave since Michael was “not covered” as I dealt with my own health issues. This added insult to injury. Michael worked tirelessly to take care of his credit and to keep ahead financially. His bills were all up-to-date until his death. He had been making extra payments on his 2018 Ford Fusion to pay it off earlier. He had done so with another vehicle as well. One of Michael’s objectives in life was to be debt-free. I need your help to make that a reality.
Now, without the life insurance payout, I cannot close Michael's affairs the way he would wish. As Michael’s mother, it hurts deeply to know I may not be able to grant that wish. As a parent, you want all of your children’s dreams to come true. I don’t want all of his hard work in his 23 short years to have been in vain.
The life insurance payout would have been used to pay off his car, pay his medical bills, which are astronomical due to surgery to try to save his life and the price of life support, and other smaller bills such as electricity bills, and back car insurance.
I am usually a private person and do not share much. However, what my son, Michael wanted outweighs my tendency to keep things close to the vest. I ask for help to fulfill Michael’s dream to be debt-free, so he may fully rest in peace.
“The Costs”
*2018 Ford Fusion- approximately $12,000 for payoff
*Medical Expenses-approximately $10,000 after medical insurance (BCBS)paid.
*Miscellaneous Items (electric bill, half of the rent for two months from the previous apartment complex, car insurance, etc.)-approximately $3, 000
I thank you in advance for your support and any amount you could share. Please continue to pray for our family and loved ones.
(Please share this story on your social media platforms to help spread the word.)
Tina Slaughter (formerly Pulley),
Michael Pulley’s Mother
AUGUST 6, 1997 – MARCH 28, 2021
FMF: Forever My FamilyMarch 28, 2021, my entire life changed. I lost my younger son, Michael Pulley to an apparent suicide.
Michael was just 23 and just beginning life. Michael attended Baily Middle School and graduated from Hough High School. After a year at CPCC, he transferred to Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. Afterward, Michael moved home. A member of the Charlotte-based group FMF (Forever My Family), Michael was known for his wit, basketball and football skills, and being all-around hilarious bringing light to any situation. He also turned DoorDash into a verb and “Doordashed” scientifically-truly.
“That Day”
When my phone rang early March 28, 2021, I knew something drastic had happened as our older son, Alex, told me what detectives say happened. Suicide? We all rushed to Atrium Health Main-to the eleventh floor. I was met by my older son and nurses as he and his father arrived before I did. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to witness. Michael was on life support but his heart still beat on its own. Physicians met with us and told us that soon his body would become very “sick” as his organs shut down. When his heart stopped, I had to make the final decision not to resuscitate. I wanted a miracle but it did not come in the way I had hoped.
Michael passed away quietly around 9:00 A.M. on March 28, 2021.
This tragedy has shaken me and my family and loved ones to the core. However, knowing my baby boy was an organ donor and would save the lives of others, gives my family, his friends, and me some comfort.
It was a shock to all that knew Michael as news spread of his death. On April 2, 2021, many friends, family, and loved ones held a vigil to celebrate who Michael was as a young man. He loved his older brother, Alex, and his little sisters, Elle and Georgia. He absolutely adored his little nephew, Maddox, and children in general as he worked at the YMCA at Lake Norman in Cornelius/Davidson, North Carolina while still in high school. He coached and refereed for soccer and basketball games.
“The Aftermath”
As we made final arrangements, someone anonymously paid for Michael’s home-going service in full. This was a miracle in itself.
I ask and pray for another.
As I grieve and complete Michael’s final affairs, I have run into a financial struggle. As an employee of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, I had purchased life insurance for both of my children years ago never expecting to seek it for either of them. After Michael’s death, I contacted the school system to report a “life event.” This process includes changing dependent paperwork, filing for life insurance, etc. In short, I was denied the life insurance as I was told I could not receive the benefit because I was on medical leave when Michael’s death occurred. I wish to fight this, even if I only recover the premiums paid while I was on medical leave since Michael was “not covered” as I dealt with my own health issues. This added insult to injury. Michael worked tirelessly to take care of his credit and to keep ahead financially. His bills were all up-to-date until his death. He had been making extra payments on his 2018 Ford Fusion to pay it off earlier. He had done so with another vehicle as well. One of Michael’s objectives in life was to be debt-free. I need your help to make that a reality.
Now, without the life insurance payout, I cannot close Michael's affairs the way he would wish. As Michael’s mother, it hurts deeply to know I may not be able to grant that wish. As a parent, you want all of your children’s dreams to come true. I don’t want all of his hard work in his 23 short years to have been in vain.
The life insurance payout would have been used to pay off his car, pay his medical bills, which are astronomical due to surgery to try to save his life and the price of life support, and other smaller bills such as electricity bills, and back car insurance.
I am usually a private person and do not share much. However, what my son, Michael wanted outweighs my tendency to keep things close to the vest. I ask for help to fulfill Michael’s dream to be debt-free, so he may fully rest in peace.
“The Costs”
*2018 Ford Fusion- approximately $12,000 for payoff
*Medical Expenses-approximately $10,000 after medical insurance (BCBS)paid.
*Miscellaneous Items (electric bill, half of the rent for two months from the previous apartment complex, car insurance, etc.)-approximately $3, 000
I thank you in advance for your support and any amount you could share. Please continue to pray for our family and loved ones.
(Please share this story on your social media platforms to help spread the word.)
Tina Slaughter (formerly Pulley),
Michael Pulley’s Mother
Organizer
Songbird Slaughter
Organizer
Charlotte, NC