Lonnie McConnell

Lonnie Eugene McConnell, 83, passed away Friday, August 14, 2015 in the comfort of his home in Jacksonville, Arkansas following a brief illness.
He was born February 7, 1932 in Denton, Arkansas to Virgil and Effie Calvert McConnell. He was a truck driver for Rock Steel Building Company for 10 years and worked for Orbit Valve for 20+ years. Once he retired he was officially named "Grandpa" by everyone that knew him and earned the title of "The Candy/Bubblegum Man." He was a member of Stanfill Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Elsie Dobbs McConnell; Brothers Johnny, Billy Joe McConnell and Cecil, Bob Sharp and sisters, Marie Blankenship and Ruby Litsey.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ava Lee McConnell: his daughters, Margaret (Gary) Watson of Smackover, and Barbara (Clayton) Bures of Jacksonville; five grandchildren, Amanda Watson, Matthew Watson, Melissa (Daniel) Hudson, Ashley (David) Polen, and Lonnie Clay Bures; nine great-grandchildren, Virginia Stephens, Hailey Watson, Ariel Levingston, Kierra Levingston, Levi Levingston, Caleb Watson, Cody Watson, Hannah Watson, and River "Fish" Hudson; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Shirley McConnell, Jerry and Beverly McConnell, sisters and brothers-in-law, Jan Donell, Shirley Judkins, Chris Cunningham, Linda and Fred White, Pam and Tommy Simpson, and Sarah and Charles White, and many nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, and loyal cat, Danny Boy.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 19th at Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m., officiating will be Rev. Raymond Jackson and Rev. David Maddox. Burial will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park in Sherwood.
Visit the online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .