Ava Lee was born in Manchester, Tennessee. She was a member of the Rainbow Girls Eastern Star Chapter and graduated from Miami Edison High School. Ava lived on a dairy farm in Decherd, Tennessee, was a longtime resident of Miami, Florida before moving to the Hixson area with her family in 1967. Ava worked within the Registration Department for many years until her retirement from CHI Memorial Hospital. Ava was a dedicated Christian who loved The Lord, was a longtime member with Dallas Bay Baptist Church and recently attended Soddy Daisy First Baptist Church. Ava loved and cherished her husband, daughter, grandchildren and her extended family. She enjoyed traveling, camping, and planting flowers in her garden. Ava was an exceptional cook and always enjoyed cooking for family and friends throughout the years. She especially loved spending time shopping with her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leland S. Coursey, Jr. and Annie Lee Ellis Coursey.
Ava is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Ronald Connelly; daughter Paige Julianne (Eric) Lyman; grandchildren, Hayden James, Julianna Grace and Annaliese Claire Lyman; brothers, Steve Coursey and Herb (Debra) Coursey, nephew, Billy Coursey; several cousins and friends.
We respectfully request that "social distancing", wearing masks, and all CDC measures be followed at the funeral home, church, and cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 7 pm on Sunday, September 19, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Ava’s life will be held at 1 pm on Monday, at Soddy Daisy First Baptist Church, 10185 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN 37379 with Dr. David McNabb and Sam McNabb officiating.
Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens with Steve Coursey, Herb Coursey, Billy Coursey, Eric Lyman, Jim LeVan, and Kenny Ray Cookston serving as pallbearers and a Trinity Dove Release.
