Robert “Bobby” Lee Connell

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  ~2 Timothy 4:7-8

Robert “Bobby” Lee Connell finished his race and was welcomed HOME by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Born October 1, 1952 to Donald and Vivian Connell, Bobby was raised on the family farm in Hollonville, Georgia.  After graduating from Pike County High School, he served as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Repairman in the Air National Guard at Dobbins Air Force Base.  Bobby married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Susan, and they settled into a home on the family farm where they raised their two children, Julie and Rob.  Bobby lived a life of deep faith and commitment to the Lord.  He loved his family and his church.  He served many years as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, bus driver, maintenance man, song leader and anywhere else the Lord called him.  Bobby enjoyed working with his hands, being on the tractor and mornings in the deer stand.  He was a volunteer fire fighter for the Hollonville Fire Department.  He knew how to fix anything and was meticulous in the upkeep of his yard and the pasture, even going to the trouble of picking up fallen pinecones.  Bobby spent many summer days with Susan, Julie and Rob in the boat and skiing all around West Point Lake and Lake Burton.  He doted on his grandchildren who knew him as their Pop.  Some of their fondest memories with him are fishing in the pond, skiing at the lake, shooting hoops in the driveway, riding the trails and putting up Christmas lights.  After working on the family farm and running a John Deere store with his dad and brothers, Bobby retired from Berry Global after more than 30 years working in industrial maintenance.  During his retirement years, he loved spending time with Susan, baling hay with his brother Donnie, shooting skeet and working on deer stands and home projects with Rob, eating breakfast with his MUGS group and working on many maintenance projects at Mount Olive.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Vivian Connell; brother, Harry Connell; parents-in-law, Marvin and Pauline Cannafax; and brother-in-law, Charles Willis.

Cherishing our time spent with him are his devoted wife of 51 years, Susan Connell; daughter, Julie Connell Bayham and husband Seth; son, Rob Connell and wife Kristi; grandchildren, Mason, Hannah Kate, and Ellie Bayham and Jones, Judd and Jase Connell; brother, Donnie Connell and wife Harriette; sister Lynne Connell Strickland and husband Bob; sister-in-law Melissa Connell; sister-in-law Gail Willis; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

Susan, Julie and Rob extend heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at Brightmoor Hospice, especially Molly Minter, Paula Smith and Natalie Carbone, for their love, care and compassion.  They also extend profound gratitude to church family and friends at Mount Olive Baptist Church for the many ways that they were the hands and feet of Jesus to the family during the last seven months. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts honoring Bobby be given to Mount Olive Baptist Church, designated to the building fund, 1177 Hwy 109 W, Molena, GA 30258.

Friends are invited to visit the family and celebrate Bobby’s life on Wednesday, October 30, 10:00am-12:00pm, at Mount Olive Baptist Church, followed by a service honoring his life at 12:00pm with Pastor Mark Harris officiating.  Serving as pallbearers are David Callaway, Jonathan Colvin, Scott Connell, Harrell Gilbert, Mike Nichols, and Drew Tucker.  Honorary pallbearers are Matt Bottoms, Henry Dupree, David Fowler, Stephen Goodman, Doug Hardy, Dwerl Lee, Gerald Matthews and Zack Nauck.  Services are under the direction of Moody-Daniel Funeral Home in Zebulon, GA.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  ~1 Peter 1:3-5