Dr. John Woodrow Presley

Dr. John Woodrow Presley, beloved husband of 46 years to Katherine Bailey Presley, died February 14, 2024, after a brief illness.

John was born in Jonesboro, AR on March 24, 1948, to Marvin Woodrow Presley and Willa Louise Taylor Presley. He received his PhD in English from Southern Illinois University and was a professor of English at Augusta College where he first entered college administration. His academic administrative journey took him from there to Lafayette College, University of Michigan Dearborn, SUNY Oswego and finally Illinois State University from which he retired in 2014 as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

He and Katherine then returned to Augusta, her hometown, to reestablish connections with friends and enjoy retired life.

John was predeceased by his parents, his sister Judye Presley and his brother Keith Presley. He is survived by his wife, his stepdaughters, Katherine (Rodger) Sweeney and Mary Gray Smeak (Karl), their children Kevin (Blair) Sweeney, Dylan Smeak and Shelby (Morgan) Larkin, and a sister-in-law Betsy Presley.

In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations in John’s memory may be made to The First Tee of Augusta, The Gertrude Herbert Museum of Art or The Augusta Humane Society.

No service is planned at this time.