Shirley Mae (New) McConnell passed away in Ft Smith, Arkansas while in hospice care and surrounded by family on , October 27, 2018. Shirley was born February 13, 1946 in Booneville, Arkansas to William Walter New and Esther (Adams) New. She was married to Jim L McConnell on August 24, 1962 spending 56 years together. Jim and Shirley primarily lived in Yell County and gave birth to two sons: Jimmy McConnell, Jr. and Tim McConnell. Shirley was preceded in death by her Husband only by 151 days
Survivors include: Jimmy McConnell, Jr & Oscar Delfin of Carthage, Mississippi and Tim & Darda McConnell of Huntington, Arkansas. Granddaughter Sarah & Ethan Robinson also of Huntington, Arkansas. Sisters Susie Bishop & Becky Ellis of Hot Springs; one Brother John New of Jacksonville, AR - Shirley is also survived by numerous Nieces and Nephews around the southern part of the US.
Before retiring Shirley worked as a USDA Federal Food inspector in local Poultry Plants. Shirley spent many years enjoying riding and showing horses with her family. Jim and Shirley happily spent the last 24 years in their home in Carter Cove on Lake Nimrod, sewing-quilting, fishing and enjoying the neighbors out on the porch. Shirley’s special love were her dogs.
Shirley was preceded in death by her Husband Jim L McConnell; Brother Buddy New; Father William Walter New; Mother Esther (Adams) New; Sisters In-Law: Marie Blankenship, Ruby Litsey, Janice Donnell; Brothers In-Law: Johnny McConnell, Lonnie McConnell, Glen Litsey, Jim Donnell.
Memorial Service will be held at the Rover Baptist Church on Wednesday; October 31st with Nephew Frankie McConnell, Preacher.
Shirley’s Cremation Arrangements by McConnell’s Funeral Home of Greenwood, AR
Her cremains will be spread in three locations: majority on her Husband: Jim McConnell’s Grave in Bluffton Cemetery and a smaller portion of her cremains will be spread on her Father, W.W. New’s grave in Salem Cemetery in Kingston. The final portion of her cremains will be spread on Marie Blankenship’s Grave in Blankenship Family Cemetery in Rover.
