Visitation for Mr. W.E. “Duck” Connell Jr., 85 of Anniston, will be at First Baptist Church of Saks on Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 12 until 2 pm. Funeral service will be at First Baptist Church of Saks at 2pm. Dr. Todd Stewart and Rev. Bert Cornelius will be officiating. Graveside service will follow at the Cornelius Cemetery in Walnut Grove, Alabama.
November 15, 1935 – September 6, 2021 “Duck” went to see Jesus at 9:35 am on September 6, 2021. He was surrounded by his family and went gently into the next life.
Duck is preceded in death by his parents, Claudia and Willis Connell. 6 sisters, Willie, Ruby, Sue, Jackie, Ann, and Carol. 3 brothers, Burnie, Virgel, and Willard.
He is survived by his wife Joella (JoJo), of 58 years. His brothers Bobby and Billy. His son Scott (Cannon), and two granddaughters, Sara and Emma. He also has a number of nieces and nephews.
Pall Bearers will be Doug Wheeler, Joe Dyar, Chad Usery, Tommy Gamel, Jason Goolsby, and Steve Turley. Honorary Pall Bearers will be the Kingsmen Sunday School class.
Duck, one of 12 children born to Claudia and Willis Connell, was raised in various areas of Cherokee County. Due to bad luck and hard times, Duck and his siblings grew up very poor, sometimes not having enough to eat. By second grade, he learned to plow a mule and was kept out of school large parts of the year to work the farm. Somehow, he managed to pass each year, but voluntarily held himself back in the 6th grade. By 10th grade, he had become quite an athlete, especially in basketball. His shining moment was when he helped tiny little Gaylesville beat a much larger Centre for the County Championship. By this time, he had convinced his Papa to let him go to school regularly. When he graduated from Gaylesville High School, he met his father in the field and asked him if he could send him to college. His Papa said, “You know I can’t, Son.” That week he caught a ride with a mail man to Gadsden to join the Air Force, so that he could get the G.I. Bill and go to college. While in the Air Force, he served during the Korean War and spent 2 years on an isolated Japanese island, just off the coast of South Korea working as a Supply Specialist on an Aircraft Radar and Warning Station. He enrolled at Jacksonville State Teacher’s College in 1959 where he met his wife-to-be, Joella (JoJo) Cornelius. He was a senior and she was a freshman. He graduated with a B.S. Degree in Biology and was hired to teach at Saks High School. He married JoJo in December of 1963, and she later joined him as a teacher at Saks High. Duck taught the sciences for 2 years and was hired as assistant Principal. In 1968, he was interim Principal for 1 year. Saks Middle School opened in 1977 and Duck was hired as Principle there. He announced his retirement at the end of the 1997 school year. When he retired, a surprise assembly was held where Mike Rodgers presented him with a framed resolution commending him for outstanding service and achievement in the field of education. He was also presented with a flag that was flown over the United States Capital on April the 18th, 1997, by recommendation of Richard C. Shelby.
Because he grew up during hard times, Duck had great empathy for all students, especially the ones who struggled. More than one referred to him as their “Daddy,” and some called him “Mr. Saks High.” He was dearly beloved by the Saks community. After retirement, Duck and JoJo camped, traveled, and enjoyed quality time with their son and daughter in law and two wonderful grandchildren. They got really involved with Jacksonville State, where he served on the Gamecock Club and was an honorary member of the J Club for his willingness to cook out for so many events. He and his wife, along with Jim Coxwell and his wife, and Doug and Manola Wheeler were the first to take their campers to JSU for the weekend. He was instrumental in gradually enlarging the campground until there were 40 sites. That campground was later replaced by an improved stadium and a dormitory. In 2001, Duck was honored by being named Alumnus of the Year for JSU.
Duck and his family attended First Baptist Church of Saks where he was a member of the Kingsmen Sunday school class. He was a wonderful Husband, Father, Papa, Brother, Friend, and will be greatly missed by the Saks community and the JSU 60’s Group.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Saks Building Fund.
