Bennie Wayne Connell, Sr.

Bennie Wayne Connell, Sr., 83, of Valdosta died Sunday, May 19, 2019 after a lengthy illness. He was born on December 5, 1935 in Naylor to the late Edward Lamar, Sr. and Ruth Lee Westberry Connell and had lived at Long Pond/Lake Park, GA, for fifty years. Mr. Connell was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean Conflict and retired from Roadway Express after twenty years of service. He was a member of the Lake Park Baptist Church for forty five years where he served as a Deacon and Treasurer for more than twenty five years. He was currently a member of Northside Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Tomlinson Connell of Valdosta, GA; a daughter and son in law, Mary Elizabeth Connell Snellgrove and Roger Snellgrove of Hahira, GA; two sons and daughters in law, Bennie Wayne, Jr. and Tammy Connell of Jennings, FL, Timothy Wayne and Debbie Connell of Cumming, GA; his grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as PaPa, Callie Connell McRae (Chris), Lauren Snellgrove Symth (Ella), Christopher Connell Snellgrove, Kendall Anne Snellgrove, Zoey Alina Connell, Jordan Elizabeth Mount, Wallace Jackson Mount; three great grandchildren, Madisyn Bailey McRae, Weston Lee McRae, Braxton Connell McRae; his sister and brother in law, Katie N. and Gerald Weeks of Valdosta, GA; brother and sister in law, Edward Lamar, Jr. and Sandra Connell of Stockton, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother and sister in law, Burton Harold and Bonnie Mae Connell; two sisters and brothers in law, Dorothy Ruth and Arlie Tyson, Betty Jean and Hillie Best. A special thank you to Pruitt Health Hospice and Nursing Staff for their great professional and compassionate care.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm, Tuesday, May 21, 2019 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home with burial to follow in Carter Cemetery at Sardis Church in Echols County. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 12pm-2pm at the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home.