Anne W. O’Connor, 80, of Lilburn, Georgia, formerly of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Wednesday, April 10, at her residence, surrounded by her family.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM Monday, April 15, at Central United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chris Ramsey, the Rev. B.J. Funk, and the Rev. Don Woeltjen officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday, April 14, from 7 to 9 PM in the chapel at Paulk Funeral Home.
Mrs. O’Connor was born February 12, 1944, in Fitzgerald, to the late Frank and Connie Watson. She was a 1961 graduate of Albany High School in Albany, Georgia, and a 1963 graduate of South Georgia College in Douglas, Georgia. She worked as a telephone operator, a preschool teacher, a wedding planner, and a stay-at-home mom before beginning a 20-year career as a newspaper writer and editor. She later worked as a pianist with the Fitzgerald High School choral department and then at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald. She also served as pianist for multiple churches, often filling that role during her husband’s time serving as a United Methodist Church pastor. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church and was active in each of her church homes.
Mrs. O’Connor loved cuddling babies, collecting vintage dolls, spending time with her family, taking afternoon naps, and going to the beach. She was an avid reader, a longtime (and often long-suffering) Braves baseball fan, and a friend and mentor to many.
She is survived by her husband, John; two daughters and a son-in-law, Shannon O’Connor and Erin (Robb) Landau; a brother, Keith (Carol) Watson; a sister, Carol (Fred) Miller; sister-in-law, Dorothy Gumbrecht; uncle, Gerald (Betty) Smith; aunt, Elke (Marchmon) Howell; multiple nieces and nephews; and countless cousins.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials, please send them to the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements