Shirley Kilbreth Connell

COLUMBIA - A Celebration of Life service for Shirley Kilbreth Connell, 87, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at First Baptist Church, Boyce Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Mrs. Connell passed away on January 10, 2023. She was born on August 23, 1935, and was married to Ben J. Connell in 1957. She was devoted to her family, friends, church, and the educators in the field of Health Occupations. Shirley received her Bachelor of Science and Nursing degree from the University of Louisville and obtained a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her background includes Director of Student Health at Sanford University in Birmingham, Alabama. When the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee she worked to develop and expand the Health Occupations Program in the school system.

In Columbia, South Carolina she continued to serve as a Health Occupations Instructor until she joined the South Carolina Department of Education as the State Supervisor for Health Occupations Education. She contributed to a variety of task forces and advisory committees. As the State Advisor for the Health Occupations Students of America, her guidance and influence enabled students to excel in competition and leadership activities at the district, state, and national levels.

She served as the President of the South Carolina Vocational Association. She received numerous honors and awards including Tennessee and South Carolina Health Occupations Education Teacher of the Year.

She enjoyed gardening and travel. She was an amazing woman who was loved by all.

Surviving is her daughter, Stephanie Connell Cowherd and her husband, Jim Cowherd, and grandson, Dylan Connell. She was predeceased by her husband, Ben J. Connell, who passed away on August 5, 2015, and her son, Phillip J. Connell. who passed away on March 30, 2013.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.