Support my mom’s final arrangements and life celebration

This week, I received news that my mom, Julie Renee Preston (Hastings), had her life taken from her as result of spousal homicide. Words cannot articulate how much of a shock this news was to hear, and I am very much still trying to process what happened to her.

My mother was a beautiful person, with a warm heart. She was the life of the party, and her smile always lit up the room. She was the most amazing singer I’ve ever known. She loved to have fun and go to concerts. She was the definition of a free spirit.

My mother’s death is currently an active legal case, and so I am not able to really share details around the circumstances surrounding my mother’s death. However, I would like to express my gratitude to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department for seeking justice for our family and apprehending the person that did this to her.

Since I am not able to share details of this investigation, I am choosing instead to focus my attention on what I can do at this time. Currently, this is by making any and all arrangements necessary in laying her to rest, including traveling to my mother’s former home, and hosting a celebration of life in her honor.

I am a mother of three children, and as a homeschooling family we live modestly under one income. Travel expenses out of state for my three children and myself, along with the multitude of grief related expenses were very much not something my family anticipated, and has created another level of turmoil as we attempt to process this grief.

The person who took my mother’s life, snuffed out a flame that we will never get back. We will never be able to hear her voice or see her face again. I won’t ever get another hug from her, and her grandchildren will be forced to spend their life growing up without the love of their grandmother. My mom’s youngest granddaughter hasn’t even had her first birthday yet, a milestone my mother will now never be able to see.

Any contributions are appreciated. I also have a Venmo- JZenda323.

ending phone number 5293

Thank you to all of the friends and family that have reached out, and continue to be a beacon of support through this dark time.