Joseph Turner “Pete” Connell, 87, of Tifton passed away Sunday, July 31, 2016, at Golden Living Center in Tifton. His funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 2, 2016, at Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in the West Berrien Community with the Rev. Brad Baker, the Rev. Ken Potts and the Rev. Jackie Connell officiating. Mr. Connell will be laid to rest at Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in the West Berrien Community. The family will receive friends Monday, August 1, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Steven Connell, Bo Vinson, Tanner Connell and Cameron Connell will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in the West Berrien Community.
Born August 27, 1928 in Berrien County, Mr. Connell was the son of the late Carl Connell and Estelle Parker Connell. He was also preceded in death by an infant son, Thomas Wendell Connell; a brother, Russell Connell; and a sister, Shelby Jean Connell. He retired from Pet Dairies and Parmalat Dairies, where he was a route supervisor. He served over 50 years at the Masonic Lodge #47 in Tifton and, in 1967, was the Worshipful Master. He served in the United States Army from 1947 to 1949, but stationed in the Air Force in Alaska.
Mr. Connell is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Winnie Alma Dees Connell of Tifton, who he married on August 5, 1950; three sons and daughters-in-law, Danny and Lynn Connell of Hiawassee, Dave and Beth Connell of Enigma and Steve and Faith Connell of Omega; a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Albert Hudson of Navarre Beach, Florida; ten grandchildren and their spouses, Brandy Connell of McDonough, Steven and Audrey Connell of Canton, Tanner Connell and Cameron Connell, both of Omega, Bo Vinson and Alex Felthauser, both of Tifton, , Macey Connell, Loren Griffin, and Kip Griffin, all of Enigma and Kara Felthauser of Carrolton; two great-grandchildren, Harrison Jud Connell of Canton and Sy Griffin of Enigma; a sister, Jacquline Connell Sellars of Tifton; a brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Angie Connell of Enigma; a sister-in-law Margie Connell of Ashburn; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to the Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund, 335 Coy Hancock Road, Lenox, GA 31637.