08/20/2026
A family is mourning the loss of their beloved Joshua. Joshua Addison is a Paulding County resident whose life was cut short in a senseless tragedy on Sunday, July 19. According to Josh’s family, he had let a friend and his family move in to get back on their feet. That ended when Josh was stabbed to death in his home.
His mom, Ann, wrote this to Josh.....
“In Loving Memory of My Son, Josh
There are no words that can truly express the pain of losing my son, Josh, in such a tragic and senseless act of violence. A mother is never supposed to bury her child. There is a part of me that will always be searching for him, always wishing for one more conversation, one more hug, one more chance to tell him how deeply he was loved.
Josh was many things to many people. He was a son, a brother, a father, and a friend. To me, he was my son—a piece of my heart that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Josh came into our lives when he was just three days old. We adopted him and loved him as our own from that very first moment. He was, and always will be, my son.
As Josh grew older, he wanted to know where he came from. When he was 17, he came to me and told me he wanted to meet his birth mother. I supported him wholeheartedly because I knew this was part of his journey. Through that reunion, Josh gained not only a relationship with his birth mother but also with his half-siblings and extended birth family. Watching those relationships grow was a gift, and I will always be thankful that he was able to know and love every part of his family.
Josh's greatest joy was being a father. He loved his daughter with all his heart, and nothing made him prouder than being her dad. The bond they shared was something truly special. One of the things they loved most was creating art together. They could spend hours drawing, painting, and letting their imaginations come to life. Those moments were more than a shared hobby—they were precious memories filled with laughter, creativity, and love. I pray she will always remember how deeply her father loved her and know that she was one of the greatest blessings of his life.
Josh had one of the strongest work ethics of anyone I have ever known. He took pride in his work and in the life he was building. He never complained, even when life was difficult. He could be stubborn—very stubborn—but that same determination gave him the strength to keep moving forward through whatever life placed in his path. He believed in standing on his own two feet, doing what was right, and working hard for the people he loved.
Beneath that determination was a heart full of compassion. Josh would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it more than he did. Even as a teenager, he would take food to people who were homeless because he couldn't bear to see someone go hungry. He cared deeply for people who were hurting and never judged someone simply because life had dealt them a difficult hand.
Josh also had an enormous heart for animals. He was forever bringing home strays and finding a way to care for them. He loved plants, too, and took great pride in his collection. He nurtured them with patience and care, just as he cared for the people and animals he loved. Those simple things reflected the gentleness that lived beneath his strong exterior.”
Josh’s mom is no stranger to tragedy, having lost an infant; a daughter who passed away from cancer at the age of 24 and now Josh. She has one son left who had a special bond with his siblings. Josh’s family wants everyone to remember him for all of the goodness he gave back to the world. He had over 600 people in attendance at his celebration of life. That is a true testament to who Josh was. He was compassionate with humans and animals, always giving to those less fortunate and who needed a friend. As a community, it’s time to give back and showing support to this family and his daughter that meant everything to him. A go fund me has been set up for his daughter. https://gofund.me/6d907d3fb
