(Born: Died: December 28, 2002 in Sumpter County, Georgia, USA)

A 1970’s pop star and Americus arts supporter died in a car accident Saturday night. Fifty-three-year-old Meri Wilson Edgemon was killed after she lost control of her car on Highway 377 in Sumter County. In 1976, she had a platinum record hit with her song “Telephone Man.” She stayed active in the arts all her life, and was current president of the Americus Arts Council and the Civic Chorus. Edgemon had just arranged and directed the music for the “Cotton Patch Gospel” performance at the Rylander Theatre, receiving a state award for the project. A national award is pending.