WILCOX COUNTY, Ga. — People hung purple ribbons and wore purple t-shirts around Wilcox County on Friday all in support of Preslee Jackson, a second grader at Wilcox County Elementary School.
During a time when she is supposed to be at school, she is instead currently at a children's hospital in Atlanta, facing an unusual medical problem.
Jackon was diagnosed with a condition that causes her brain to bleed and then swell. Her health took a turn late this week, and she is not expected to recover.
Now, her school and her community are reflecting on her impact.
The school posted about it on Facebook stating that Preslee was an excellent student who loved her friends, classmates, and teachers.
The school is aware this can be a hard subject for kids to understand, so they have administrators, counselors and local pastors available to meet with the students.
Dale Garnto is the Wilcox County School superintendent and said he wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
When it comes to Preslee, he said she had a bubbly personality you could see a mile away.
"I think she is truly an inspiration," Garnto said. "The word family is not only in the school, but it's also in our community."
Garnto also talked about what impact Preslee has made in her community.
"She's liked by everyone," Garnto said. "She's got lots of friends, an infectious smile, very outgoing, fun, loving, very smart, the teachers loved her, the students loved her, and she's certainly going to be missed in our school."
Gary Howell is Preslee's principal who's experienced firsthand the joy she brings to the classroom.
"You'll never see Preslee when she didn't have a smile on her face," Howell said.
Howell says he finds Preslee and her story inspirational to others. The school district and the community said they are praying and extending support to her family through it all.
"My heart aches for the family, but at the same time, the sheer love and support that our community gives us, it's unbelievable the outpouring of support we've had," Howell said.
The school district plans to hold a balloon release ceremony in Preslee's honor next week.
Preslee's family is with her at Egleston Hospital in Atlanta to bring her comfort in her final hours.