The news of Meredith’s death has left hearts broken across Carolina, as she passed away peacefully at her home in Charlotte, surrounded by the love of her family, on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
At just 30 years old, she leaves behind a strong legacy of kindness and hope that impacted everyone she met.
Her husband, Edwin Yanes, and sister, Courtney Cox, shared tearful tributes that captured the depth of her spirit and the pain of her loss.
As Greenville mourns former basketball star Meredith, the community’s support shows her light still shines in her absence.
Meredith was born in Greenville, South Carolina, to proud parents, Charlie Cox and Andrea Farrell Cox.
Growing up alongside her sister Courtney, she filled their home with energy and laughter.
From a young age, Meredith showed a natural talent for sports. At Greenville Tech Charter High School, she excelled on the varsity teams for basketball, volleyball, track, and soccer.
Her competitive fire and team spirit made her a standout athlete, and she graduated in 2013 with dreams as big as her smile.
She carried that drive to the College of Charleston, where she studied Hospitality and Tourism Management.
There, she kept dominating on the basketball and volleyball courts while building lifelong friendships.
By 2016, she had earned her degree and was ready to pursue her passions in the world of events and hospitality.
After college, Meredith dove into a career that perfectly suited her warm, organized personality.
She spent four fulfilling years as an Account Sales Manager at the Charlotte Regional Visitor Authority, helping bring visitors to the city she called home.
Before that, she worked as a Catering Sales and Convention Services Manager at the historic Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston.
In those roles, she also served as a concierge, always going the extra mile to make guests feel welcomed and special.
Colleagues remember her as the one who could turn a stressful event into a seamless success, with her effortless style and genuine care for people.
Her classic refinement, think tailored outfits and a poised grace, made her unforgettable in any room.
Life took a joyful turn on November 4, 2023, when Meredith married her longtime boyfriend, Edwin Yanes, in a celebration full of love and promise.
The couple’s bond was something special, built on shared adventures and quiet support. Edwin often spoke of how Meredith’s optimism lifted him on tough days, too.
Their story became one of strong determination when cancer entered their lives.
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Meredith was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma, a tough tumor in her leg, marking her biggest battle yet.
For two years, she fought with a courage that inspired all who knew her.
One of her most heartfelt updates came in May 2024, shared openly on Facebook to connect with supporters as she followed her journey.
Six months into her diagnosis, the past two had been a whirlwind. In March, both her lower lungs collapsed, dropping her oxygen levels to a scary 76, far below the normal 95.
A hospital stay followed, and doctors paused her chemo to let her rebuild strength. But scans showed the tumor, which she nicknamed “Eugene,” seemed to be growing.
One ordinary Friday, her oncology team delivered devastating news: a full leg amputation from her belly button down looked inevitable. The world rocked for Meredith and her family in that single call.
Hope flickered just a week later. Her oncologist referred them to the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
Meredith’s first flight there, ironically in first class for the extra legroom her tumor demanded, brought a mix of nerves and determination.
Over days of tests, scans, and appointments, emotions ran high.
The oncology surgeon outlined three care options based on the tumor’s size and location, none of which are urgent.
But when they compared her December scans to the new ones, something amazing emerged: the tumor had shrunk on its own during those two chemo-free months. Amputation? Suddenly, it felt avoidable. “Yayyyyy,” Meredith wrote, her relief jumping off the page.
The tumor had responded well to earlier chemo, but they needed to know how much more it could handle.
Smaller meant less risk, quicker recovery, a better shot at saving her leg, and fewer scars.
The Houston team looped in more chemo experts and crafted a plan with her Charlotte doctors: three rounds of chemo locally, with scans sent back for review, no extra trips needed.
A baseline PET scan set the stage, and her first session hit on a Wednesday in May.
For once, Meredith admitted she was excited about chemo. “Something I will never say again,” she joked.
After the third round, another scan would decide: more shrinkage meant keep going; no change meant surgery soon.
She ended her post with a plea for prayers that Eugene would “get the hint it’s time to go,” plus lighthearted shares, a video of Courtney dyeing her hair brunette “just because” the night before treatment, and a photo of Edwin’s quirky dollar-store fan proving handy during it all.
That post showed Meredith’s essence: facing darkness with humor, honesty, and heart. Her journey drew strength from Edwin’s steady hand-holding through joy and pain, and Courtney’s role as both sister and best friend.
As Edwin later showed, caring for her forged an unbreakable family tie, turning Courtney into his sister as well.
As Edwin later showed, caring for her forged an unbreakable family tie, turning Courtney into his sister as well.
Meredith’s fight wasn’t just medical; it was a testament to human connection.
She never let sarcoma dim her generous spirit, always checking on others even when she hurt the most.
In the end, after two years of brave treatments and unbreakable hope, Meredith slipped away at peace, free from pain.
Edwin’s tribute poured out his grief and gratitude:
“For two years, she fought this horrible disease with a courage, grace, and determination that inspired everyone who knew her. We all believed she would beat this, because that’s who she was—strong, hopeful, brave. A fighter until her very last breath.”
Via Facebook
He called it the greatest honor to love her, to share her light, and to build bonds that last. Courtney echoed the shatter of her heart:
“It will forever be one of the greatest honors of my life to be her sister and her best friend. … Losing her at just 30 years old feels unbearably unfair.”
The Carolinas are mourning, but Meredith’s imprint endures. Details on services will be available soon, along with her full obituary.
In true Meredith fashion, compassionate to the core, her family asks for donations over flowers to the Paula Takacs Foundation, a group supporting sarcoma patients.
Meredith Ashley Yanes lived fully, loved deeply, and fought fiercely. Her story reminds us to cherish every moment, hold our people close, and face storms with the same grace she did.
As Edwin said, she carried everyone’s love with her, and now, she’ll watch over us, her memory a guiding light.
Rest in peace, Meredith.
