Ed McConnell

Clarence Edward McConnell, 92 years old, of Bethany, Oklahoma, met his Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 24th, 2019. Ed was born in Gypsy, West Virginia, to Lewis and Sarah McConnell. He served in the Army Ground Forces, from November 1945, until December 1946. Upon his discharge he returned home and on December 24th, 1946, he married Lola Mae Wright. Ed is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Lola McConnell, their daughter, Brenda McConnell, their son, Glenn McConnell; sister, Irene Renfro, brothers, Albert, Therral, Orville, Kenneth and Bud McConnell. Ed and Lola began a print shop in September, 1967, and retired in 1997. They worked there together with their son, Randy for thirty years. Upon retiring, they continued to work at the shop with Randy and Granddaughter, Lori, on occasion. He was devoted to his wife, Lola, and worked tirelessly at whatever needed to be done. He possessed an integrity that is rare today. He didn’t believe in taking anything he hadn’t earned. He was a caring and helpful neighbor and friend. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease and play with his grandkids. He loved seeing Randy, Pat and grandkids at every opportunity. Ed and Lola both loved to cook and the family had many wonderful meals together, prepared in their kitchen. They had a deep love of gardening and a tremendous generosity reflected in the buckets of vegetables given to family, friends, neighbors and strangers passing by. People from all over stopped to ask him questions and get advice for gardening and Ed was always happy to share his gardening tips with anyone who asked. The two of them kept their yard like a golf course. He leaves behind a son, Randy McConnell, daughter in law, Pat McConnell, grandchildren, Matthew Winborn, Nicole Winborn, Adam Winborn, Tiffany Smith, Lori McConnell, great grandchildren, Laney Winborn, Wyatt Winborn and Gabriel Winborn, brothers, Grady McConnell, Bill McConnell, Glendal McConnell and sister, Lorene Harkins. A few weeks ago, he asked that we have one more family supper, for he wanted to be sure to tell Matthew, Adam and Lori how much he loved them and how proud they had made him. He was a wonderful grandfather. It is impossible to do justice to the man Ed was in a few sentences. He was deeply loved by his family, and he will be missed dearly every day. His life set a high standard to be strived for and taught us all lessons we will carry with us for life. Our grief is tempered with the knowledge that he is back with his beloved Lola and happy once more.