Lonnie Eugene McConnell

LONNIE EUGENE MCCONNELL, 83, passed away Friday, Aug. 14, 2015 in the comfort of his home in Jacksonville, Ark. following a brief illness. He was born Feb. 7, 1932 in Denton, Ark. 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, Aug. 18, 2015 at 6 to 8 p.m. at Smith–North Little Rock Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Smith–North Little Rock Funeral Home at 1 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.