Reply With QuoteThat was my question JDD. I hope someone will be able to give us all some information on what was going on with Vernon after Elvis' death. So little is written about him.
I forget who, but last week someone in here in passing in another post wonder aloud that they wondered what Vernon did, who spent time with him in his last days. I've wondered that myself and exhusted my book collection and the web searchers trying to find answers Now I'm Just going to ask here.
How did the man spend his days following Elvis death? I know there are claims he changed the will after Elvis died, that he cut ties with the rest of the guys Elvis still had around and the opinions of his business abilities handling Elvis affairs are not very glowing. Business wise and Personal life I'm interested in the mans life after that date. Anyone have any Info or any tips on where I could find it? How did he come to chose Priscilla as the person to take over if something happened to him, who was with him in his final days when he was sick? I find the whole father son relationship they had interesting and Vernon in general .
I know there was supposedly a public Appearence on the TV show "Hee Haw" at some point where he was introduced as Elvis Presleys father. Other then that I haven't really been able to find any other public appearences.
Where do you look to learn more about Vernon?
That was my question JDD. I hope someone will be able to give us all some information on what was going on with Vernon after Elvis' death. So little is written about him.
I think the poor man lost the will to live.
I feel so sorry for him at the end of the CBS Special when he thanks the fans for sending him letters etc and he says god bless you.
He was a beautiful man and after Elvis died although he was already in ill health before he completely went downhill.
I believe he died of a broken heart. He loved his son.
When he was in hospital practically dying Priscilla was visited him trying to get him to sign everything over to her.
When Elvis died Vernon was living on Dolan with Sandy Miller. After Elvis's death he moved into Graceland. He sold Dolan and also had to sell Elvis's planes to pay the bills, seeing as Elvis didn't have much cash in the bank when he died.
He made a public appearence also at the Las Vegas Hilton with The Colonel when the statue of Elvis was unveiled and also appeared with Priscilla on occasion.
It was on his death bed that Priscilla convinced him to turn the will over to her along with a few other trustees. Such as Beecher if my memory serves me correctly and the bank. Vernon hesitated on that for a quite a while and she got real mad over it. As for the will being altered, Billy Smith says it's different than the one Elvis gave him, which he then gave to Patsy Presley who called him and asked for it on Vernons behalf after Elvis died.
Vernon also burnt a lot of paperwork following Elvis's death. It has been rumoured that Glady's had left a will stating what her brothers and sisters were to get and again its rumoured that Vernon did not abide by her wishes.
The will information is rumour, I can't confirm it. Vernon was engadged to Sandy Miller.
Delta was the last person to live in the house and she had the keys and a free run of the mansion when tours were over, she had a bedroom just off the kitchen.
The Sun Never Sets On A Legend...
Yes Diane, sorry I just couldn't remember who'd asked. I knew it was a question in one of the threads and since I've started searching through all the books and websites I could find and there just isn't a lot so far.
Joanne , I agree, it had to be hard outliving both your wife, and both your Kids.
I know "uncle vester" was kept around for the rest of his life as well but in all the years of reading of Elvis, I don't remember ever hearing if Vernon and Vester were close though I know the brothers married sisters. I'd personally gotten to speak with Vester a couple of times and got a book signed by him, and listened to him tell me some of his stories of course at the time I only asked things about Elvis. He was a real charicter.
Thanks 0349054 for the response. I'd heard some of that with Sandy Miller but didn't know they were officially engaged . I know the Dee Stanley marriage ended very badly and supposedly he lost a house and a lot of money in that settlement.
Hopefully more info on this topic gets uncovered. A lot of folks here have a lot of good refrence material so maybe we'll get some answers Diane. We have a start anyway.
I should start a file on anything I can find out on the topic . For whatever reason he really interests me, maybe because he spoke like and slightly resembles my deseased Grandfather. and also the father of the King.
A couple of the guys GK, Red, Joe, Marty etc have also stated that Vernon was known to be able to carry a tune as well .
Is Delta still alive? Has she made any comments about Elvis, Vernon or living at Graceland?
franny
I can't remember the date but She's also gone now Franny. They say She didn't really like the fans so she probably doesn't have a lot of documented quotes.
Delta lived at the house until she died. She was there when it opened for tours and occupied a bedroom off the kitchen, for a while the kitchen wasn't part of the tour as Delta was still living in the house. Once the tours finished she had a free run of the whole house.
She wasnt happy about the fans being in there, she cursed and ran at fans, and also cursed at Priscilla and Jack Soden when they were discussing the opening of the house.
It was her home, and quite rightly she didn't want strangers walking all about it. I'll try dig out some pictures of her in her later years at Graceland, she got quite frail towards the end.
The Sun Never Sets On A Legend...
FYI: Delta Mae Biggs passed away in 1993
Originally Posted by 0349054
Ha ha haa ! yeah thats true . Last June when I was there I was talking to a lady who was there for the 27th time. She was telling me this story about Delta coming out from a door near the car port in the back and cussing out fans.
To me it was a very odd living arrangement. I can see taking in parents in a house that big but the extended family, the friends etc , that stuff would get on my nerves fast. I'm surprised there isn't more Mobil Homes on the property then there are.
I'm so glad your started this thread JDD. I should have thought of it but didn't. Sure hope we can find out more about Vernon. There is so much mystery surrounding Elvis' last will. I have a hard time believing that it was Vernon who destroyed or altered it even though he was well known to be very tight and not to want to part with money. I can't see him cutting Billy out.
I almost hate to suggest it but Patsy Presley was a good friend of PP's wasn't she? What happened to that will after Billy gave it to Patsy? Did it go straight to Vernon or did it take a detour? There is just something so wrong about the whole thing.
I read where Delta was quite the looney in that house. Bad temper, drank too much and caused quite a bit of havock around the place. Poor old thing though, it must have been hard for her to be invaded by fans.
I also read where Vernon and Gladys both had nice singing voices and Gladys loved to dance. I love that picture where Elvis is playing the piano and they are singing together.
Joanne, I'm sure you were right that the heart went out of Vernon after Elvis died. I don't think he was very close to anyone except Gladys and Elvis.
Last edited by Diane; 09-02-2006 at 08:38 PM.
Well being an old Southern Boy (Transplanted from TN to IL myself) I imagine Vernon was probably close with his Mom. I was just thinking Vernon Outlived all his own Family , but "the Dodger" had to also have had it rough out living and having to see her own Son and even Grandson pass on first .
Vernon
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That is a joke right, pic trying to get Vernon to sign everything over to her, really did this happen?
Yes there was Minnie Mae still there for Vernon and I'm sure he was close to her too. Aunt Delta was also there and I guess uncle Vester but I don't think there's been any mention of how close he was to his sibblings.
No matter what that poor Presley family had more than their share of heartache even after Elvis became famous and relieved their financial worries.
I have a pic of Vernon, in his last days, being in the hospital.
Priscilla and Lisa are standing next to his bed.
They seemed to get along still very good.
Last edited by riley; 09-04-2006 at 01:48 AM.
vernon was smiling at his granddaughter Lisa who he loved.
when vernon was with priscilla at the statue unveling he snubbed her.
Riley do you have that photo uploaded here somewhere? Where did you come across that photo? I figured on this site where people seem to have a lot of refrence material that someone would have more info then has come out so far, so I'd be happy to see anything you have related to it if possible.
Pic of Vernon
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Riley you share that pic with use mate...
Did Elvis' other relatives ever live at Graceland, such as Patsy Presley or Billy Smith or any others from Gladys' or Vernon's side of the family?
I never hear anything on this...
franny
Franny, I don't know if Patsy Presley lived at Graceland but I do know that Billy did. Quite a few others did too in trailors at the back of Graceland but I don't know who they were except Billy and Charlie. Maybe someone else can tell us more?
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