Elder Robert D. Conner

Elder Robert D. Conner, 82, of Valdosta, died on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Langdale Hospice House. Elder Conner was born in Berrien County to the late O.V. & Flora Bell Conner. After graduating from Ray City High School, Elder Conner briefly attended Emory University in Valdosta. He soon moved to Jacksonville, FL to continue his accounting studies while working for George Dandelake, CPA. But while in Jacksonville, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and soon attained the rank of Sergeant and became an instructor at Ft. Benjamin Harris School of Finance. While stationed at Ft. Harris he met and after a three month courtship married, Zelma Hembree of Pineville, KY. After his discharge from the Army, they returned to Jacksonville and he earned his CPA license. At the time of his death, he held the second oldest CPA license issued by the State of Florida. In 1958 they returned to South Georgia to live and work in Valdosta for the remainder of his life. He was employed by Modern Homes Construction Co. as an accountant rising thru the ranks to become CEO of Modern Diversified Industries, parent company of Modern Homes. In 1975, he retired from MDI and formed a public practice CPA firm. He retired from public practice in 2005. He was a member of both the Georgia and Florida Societies of CPA's and served on the Board of Directors of the Valdosta Boys Club and was a member of the Valdosta Country Club.

On February 24, 1967, he followed the call of the Lord and became an ordained minister into the Primitive Baptist Church (Progressive). During the next 28 years, he served as pastor of the Nashville and Quitman churches. During this time he also supplied at many churches in Georgia, Florida and other Southeastern states. In 1995, Elder Conner followed the call and became an Old Line Primitive Baptist minister. During the following years he served as pastor of Salem Church in Adel, Piedmont Church in Mitchell County and Tired Creek Church in Grady County, assisted many others and was currently a member of Cat Creek Primitive Baptist Church.

Elder Conner is survived by his wife of 60 years, Zelma Conner, of Valdosta; three sons and two daughters in law, Raymond & Cynthia Conner, of Valdosta, Steven & Jane Conner of St. Augustine, FL and Gregory Conner of Covington, GA; 11 grandchildren, Austin (Gail) Conner of Davenport, FL, Chad Conner of Portland, OR, Ellen Conner of Chang-won, South Korea, Amy (Mark) Bailey of St. Augustine Beach, FL, Thomas (Le'Anna) Conner of Fleming Island, FL, Sara Conner, Erin Conner and Jackson Conner, all of St. Augustine, FL, Michael Conner, Michelle Conner and Noah Conner, all of Covington, GA; and one great-grandchild, Jax Conner of Portland, OR. Also surviving is a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family friends and church members. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Harry Conner. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of South Georgia Medical Center MICU and Langdale Hospice house for the care and comfort they provided Elder Conner.

A funeral for Elder Conner will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Cat Creek Primitive Baptist Church. Elder Jim Sandlin, Elder Ricky Harcrow, Elder Dwight Marshall, Elder Thad Marshall, and Elder Jim Smith will officiate. Burial will follow at New Ramah Cemetery in Ray City. He will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to the service. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Ramah Cemetery Trust , 3148 Garner Road, Ray City, GA 31645, or the church of your choice. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.McLaneCares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602