Former Southampton resident Colleen Virginia Pressley died on February 3 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. She was 36.
Born on August 21, 1973, at Southampton Hospital to Celestine Pressley. Ms. Pressley, who was autistic, lived in Southampton until she was school age, when her mother realized there was no school on eastern Long Island that could meet her educational needs.
Her foster grandmother, Mamie Baxter, turned Ms. Pressley’s care over to Annie Wilson, who lived in Manhattan, so that she could attend a school for children with special needs. She received further education and training at the Developmental Disabilities Institute, where she was enrolled in the adult program.
In addition, she was a member of Antioch Church of God in Christ in Brooklyn.
Ms. Pressley is survived by her mother, Celestine Pressley; two sisters, Nadyne Pressley and Ashley Pressley; two nieces, Kyla Church and Ashari Pressley; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her grandparents, Benjamin and Lillie Mae Pressley; a cousin, Cornelius Pressley; a foster grandmother, Mamie E. Baxter, and her caregiver, Annie Wilson, whom she affectionately called “Aunt Tannie.”
Services were held on February 12 at the Kings Chapel Church of God in Christ in Southampton, with Elder Kyle Braunskill officiating. Interment followed at Southampton Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on Feb 17, 2010