| Sources |
- [S75] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume II, 1955-1973, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 17 Oct 1973.
Effie Clementine Frazier obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 29 Sep 2006.
Presnell claims blueberries give relief from symptoms of Alzheimer's
(c)2006 NPT PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHETT Ruby Presnell, at right, is recovering from being diagnosed in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease and is enjoying taking a stroll with her husband, Kenneth, center, and grandson, Randell Keys Jr. Kenneth Presnell says the recovery is due to eating two cups of blueberries each day.
By: STEVE BLANCHETT
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
09-29-2006
Special to The Plain Talk NEWPORT-Kenneth Presnell, 74, of Forest Trail Road, Sevierville, says he has been feeding his wife blueberries since the doctors practically gave up on her because of the severity of her Alzheimer's disease and she is now making a remarkable recovery. Presnell married his wife, Ruby Presnell, 70, 52 years ago. The couple has three children: Kenneth Darrell Presnell, who is married to Michele and they have two children, Dylan and Jessie; Karen Parks, who has two children, Tammy and Angel; and Kathy Keys, who is married to Randell Keys, and they have one child, Randell Keys Jr. Presnell said his wife's Alzheimer's was so bad that she didn't recognize any of the children or grandchildren, nor did she recognize him. The Presnells were born and raised in the Henry Town Road area of Sevier County, but lived in Cosby when Ruby was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1991. Presnell said he moved to their home on Forest Trail Road because her medical condition and physical abilities were deteriorating and their current residence provided a good place to care for her under the conditions. "She continued to get worse and eventually the Alzheimer's caused her to become bedridden on oxygen and it forced us to have to use an IV solution to help keep her alive," said Presnell. "In the six months before I started using the blueberries, which was 18 months ago, she had pneumonia five times and two of those times, it was double pneumonia. We almost lost her during all of that. "She had a bad attack and I took her to the emergency room," continued Presnell. "We were there for hours and all they could do was stabilize her. They sent us back home with not much hope of her getting better." Presnell said he read in an Alzheimer's book that blueberries would help patients with Alzheimer's, so since he had tried everything else, he stopped at the grocery store on the way home from the emergency room and bought a bunch to try. "I had been making her milkshakes using fresh fruit, Ensure, and instant milk for a long time because that's about all she would try to eat," said Presnell. "I began mixing in the blueberries into the milkshake about 18 months ago and in about six to eight weeks, she got out of the hospital bed that was in our living room and started walking again. "She hasn't been back in that bed since," continued Presnell. "She hasn't had another attack of pneumonia nor does she have the urinary tract problems that she had previously experienced." Presnell said her memory started coming back to her as the weeks passed and she can recognize most of her family members that are around her, as well as knowing who he is. Ruby is also no longer having to see a physical therapist because she is becoming stronger everyday on her own. Presnell said on the last visit by the physical therapist, the therapist said there wasn't much else they knew to do for her that she was in the late stages of Alzheimer's, but now she's doing fine. "It's remarkable," said Presnell. "I also didn't take her back to the doctor because he seemed skeptical at first about the blueberries working. But when I had my yearly checkup, he asked me about her and I told him the blueberries had completely changed her life and our families' lives. She is doing fine." Presnell said the doctor asked him for his recipe and said he was going to try it on some of his other patients to see if blueberries would help them like they have Ruby. Presnell said he also told one of his friends about the use of blueberries because his wife also had Alzheimer's and they are helping her as well. "It's wonderful what the blueberries have done for her," said Presnell. "I buy 30 gallons each year at harvest time now and put them in the freezer. Please tell everyone not to clean them or wet them. You just want to put them in the freezer fresh in a gallon freezer bag and take them out as you use them. This way they don't stick together and they are easy to clean when you are ready to use them." Presnell said he can tell every month that Ruby is getting stronger and more alert. "It's just amazing," said Presnell. "I know it has to be the blueberries because everything else in the milkshake I had been giving her for a long time and she was getting worse, but now she is doing fantastic and it has to be the blueberries." Presnell said he feeds Ruby two cups of blueberries each day in the milkshake mixture that is prepared in a blender. "The mixture contains the blueberries, a can of instant breakfast, some ice cream, some chocolate, strawberry or blueberry syrup, as well as other fresh fruit like peaches, strawberries, cherries, or pineapple," said Presnell. "Once again, I want to stress that it had to be the blueberries because I gave her all this other stuff before. The blueberries did the trick and she is now recovering from most of her Alzheimer's symptoms. "I also put two cranberry pills in the mixture to help with her urinary tract problems and the combination has taken care of that as well," added Presnell. "I swear it's hard to believe even with me seeing it happen, but it's true." Presnell said before she got really ill, Ruby would fall and hurt herself a lot. "I was really scared back then, but now she is walking fine and hasn't fell since she got out of bed over a year ago," said Presnell. "It's just wonderful and I hope others will try the blueberries. They might help them just like they have Ruby. What a blessing it has been for us and we hope others can receive the same blessing." Presnell said Ruby still can't do a lot of things for herself, but she continues to improve and who knows what her limits will be in the future, but he glad he's going to be able to find out because of the blueberries. Editor's Note: Although no human studies have been performed as yet to confirm the usefulness of ingesting blueberries to fight the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease, several studies have been performed on animals, and researchers say there is reason for cautious optimism. University of Tennessee Institute of Brain and Spine Studies Vice-President Ann Giffin told the Plain Talk on Thursday that the primary benefit of ingesting blueberries, so far, lies with the high level of antioxidants they contain. "One study we are aware of compared blueberries, strawberries, and spinach-and the blueberries were not only effective where memory and brain function were concerned, but they also were helpful with coordination and balance," said Giffin. Giffin cautioned that any foods rich in antioxidants are potentially useful in combating the onset of Alzheimer's Disease, but human studies have yet to confirm specific results in humans. "Animal studies have been released, most recently in the Sept. 2005 Journal of Neuroscience," she said. "And the results in animals are very promising." Giffin also said that nutritionists are quick to point out that, "these studies in animals are a good indication of the need for good nutrition throughout the later stages of life-when Alzheimer's usually strikes. "It is clear that people, as they age, should make sure they eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and other foods that are rich in antioxidants," she said.
- [S112] Census, 1940.
Name: Rubia Frazier
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Civil District 1, Sevier, Tennessee, United States
Gender: Female
Age: 5
Marital Status: Single
Race (Original): White
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Daughter
Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter
Birthplace: Tennessee
Birth Year (Estimated): 1935
Last Place of Residence: Same House
District: 78-1
Family Number: 199
Sheet Number and Letter: 13A
Line Number: 1
Affiliate Publication Number: T627
Affiliate Film Number: 3933
Digital Folder Number: 005461375
Image Number: 00030
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Kermit Frazier M 31 Tennessee
Wife Effie Frazier F 31 Tennessee
Daughter Gladys Frazier F 8 Tennessee
Son Lawerence Frazier M 6 Tennessee
Daughter Rubia Frazier F 5 Tennessee
Son Vaughn Frazier M 3 Tennessee
Daughter Annetta Frazier F 1 Tennessee
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 27 Jun 2010.
Ruby Lee Frazier Presnell
April 14, 1935 - June 27, 2010
Birthplace: Sevier County, Tennessee
Resided In: Sevierville, Tennessee
Visitation: June 29, 2010
Service: June 30, 2010
Cemetery: Howard's View Cemetery
Ruby Lee Frazier Presnell, age 75 of Sevierville, passed away Sunday, June 27, 2010. She was a member of Howards View Baptist Church. Her favorite hobbies included hunting gemstones and sharks’ teeth, quilting, cooking, reading, and making crafts.
She was preceded in death by her parents Kermit and Effie Frazier, sister Gladys Cook and granddaughter Misty Parks.
Survivors include her:
Husband: Kenneth Presnell
Son and daughter-in-law: Kenny and Michelle Presnell
Daughters and son-in-law: Karen Parks, Kathy and Randy Keys
Grandchildren: Tammy Snyder, Angel Winger, April Lane, Jennifer Ratliff, Major Presnell, Jessica Presnell, Dylan Presnell, Jamie Hicks, Jordan Fox, McKala Fox, Randall Keys
Great-grandchildren: Ashley Keys, Aspenn Keys, Skyler Snyder, Gaige Long, Taylor James, Noah Stewart, Mason Stewart, Jackson Lane, Carson Lane, Gracie Hicks, Olivia Hicks, Ella Hicks, Kayli Fox, Madelyn Fox
Great-great-grandchild: James Scott Reed
Brothers and sisters-in-law: Von and Louise Frazier, Kermit Jr. (Rusty) and Earlene Frazier, Lawrence and Betty Frazier
Sister and brother-in-law: Annette and J. C. Caldwell
Lots of nephews and nieces and lots of special friends
Funeral service 1 PM Wednesday in the West Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Frazier officiating. Interment will follow in Howards View Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5-7 PM Tuesday at Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)
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